 |
 |
|
|
|
Hitachi Ltd. Acquires 80% Stake in AccSys to Expand Proton Beam Therapy Systems Business
Pleasanton, CA - May 29, 2002
Tokyo, Japan, May 29, 2002-Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501, NYSE: HIT, "Hitachi")
today announced that it has acquired an eighty percent (80%) stake in AccSys
Technology, Inc., (AccSys) to expand its proton beam therapy systems business.
Through the acquisition, Hitachi will apply AccSys's ion linear accelerator
(linac) technology to its in-house developed proton beam therapy system
(PROBEAT). The move will enable Hitachi to aim for the top share in this market.
Proton beam therapy is a new type of cancer treatment. It is a localized form
of radiation therapy, in which a proton beam is directed solely at a tumor lying
deep within the body in order to destroy the tumor. When a proton beam is used
to treat a tumor, the side effects are minimal compared with those of a
conventional electron beam and X-ray radiation therapy. This is because the
proton beam has little effect on the surrounding healthy cells and only the
cancerous cells are treated. Compared with surgical treatment and chemotherapy,
the strain on the patient is much less. Proton beam therapy is drawing attention
worldwide as a promising application for the treatment of a variety of
difficult-to-treat diseases. In the United States, this therapy became widely
accepted in 2000 following its approval for insurance coverage that year. It
also appears likely that it will be accepted for insurance coverage in Europe
and Japan in the near future.
Against this backdrop, Hitachi developed its own proton beam therapy system
"PROBEAT," and has delivered a system to the University of Tsukuba in Japan. The
system has gained recognition for its high level of reliability.
AccSys is the only commercial supplier in the world who has patented compact
linac systems used for proton beam therapy. This product is incorporated into
the synchrotron-accelerator as an injector for initial acceleration of the
proton beam and also has applications in other devices, including neutron
generators. The linac injector for the initial PROBEAT system was supplied to
Hitachi by AccSys.
By uniting AccSys's linac technology and its own sophisticated acceleration
technology, Hitachi has succeeded in developing a proton beam therapy system
that realizes a higher level of performance than conventional models. Hitachi is
also supplying AccSys linac systems for other applications of this technology
through its worldwide sales network.
About Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan,
is one of the world's leading global electronics companies, with fiscal 2001
(ended March 31, 2002) consolidated sales of 7,993 billion yen ($60.1 billion*).
The company manufactures and markets a wide range of products, including
computers, semiconductors, consumer products and power and industrial equipment.
For more information on Hitachi, Ltd., please visit Hitachi's Web site at www.hitachi.com.
*At an exchange rate of 133 yen to the dollar.
About AccSys Technology, Inc.
AccSys Technology, Inc., headquartered in California, USA, is the world's leading commercial supplier of
ion linear accelerator systems based on state-of-the-art technology. Founded in
1985 as a design and manufacturing company, AccSys specializes in the
development, production, installation and servicing of low-cost compact ion
linear accelerators (linacs) using radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) linac and
drift-tube linac (DTL) technology. AccSys is dedicated to using this position of
leadership to provide the highest quality and most reliable commercial ion linac
system to meet the needs of customers in medical, industrial and research
applications. To date, AccSys has produced and delivered 21 rf ion linac systems
worldwide, including 3 proton therapy injector linacs that, combined, have
amassed nearly 14 years of patient treatment.
|
|
|
|
|
News |
Downloads |
FAQ |
Contact Us |
