Elekta, a human care company pioneering significant innovations and clinical solutions for treating cancer and brain disorders, and The Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital (NKI-AVL) have signed a strategic alliance to advance cancer research.

With a clear focus on the advantages of radiotherapy, both parties intend to collaborate more closely in the coming years to jointly develop new breakthrough solutions that combine multimodality imaging and radiotherapy.

Working in collaboration with Elekta for many years, NKI-AVL was instrumental in the development of cone beam CT (CBCT) imaging technology and its integration with the radiation therapy system.

With the assistance of NKI-AVL and other clinical partners, Elekta was the first provider to commercialize CBCT with its X-ray Volume Imaging (XVI) technique. Since then, NKI-AVL has further contributed to the refinement of image guided radiation therapy with 3D and 4D imaging innovations, which facilitate dose escalation and increase delivery accuracy. Both Elekta and NKI-AVL are eager to extend their collaboration to develop image guided adaptive radiotherapy and proton software solutions, in addition to new in vivo dosimetry and breath hold techniques. The formation of the NKI-AVL strategic alliance fully supports all of these efforts.

More than 13 million new cancer cases occur globally every year, of which three million are in Europe, according to the World Health Organization. And as the population ages, the number of cancer cases is expected to rise. Through patient-focused research and development initiatives, Elekta's goal is to increase the effectiveness and accessibility of radiation therapy for these individuals.

"We are pleased Elekta has committed to investing in the relationship and in particular this Strategic Alliance by investing in NKI-AVL research projects," says Prof. Dr. Marcel Verheij, Chair of the Radiation Oncology department at NKI-AVL. "Elekta is an important provider of innovative solutions to treat cancer."

Elekta's President and CEO Tomas Puusepp said: "Elekta's commitment to expansion and innovation is expected to give many more patients access to world-class, affordable cancer care." "Each year, we invest 8-9 per cent of our net sales in research and development with the aim of improving outcomes through the best clinical solutions on the market. This is how we pioneer modern cancer care. This strategic alliance with one of Europe's leading cancer centres is another great proof point of our strategy."