SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Accuray Incorporated , a global leader in the field of radiosurgery, today announced that the Hirslanden Clinic in Zurich, part of the renowned Hirslanden group of private hospitals, has purchased a CyberKnife System. This marks the first System sold in Switzerland, allowing patients greater access to the benefits of extracranial radiosurgery.
Since its beginning in the 1930s, the Hirslanden private hospital group has been a pioneer in the development of innovative treatment concepts. Hirslanden clinics continually adjust their medical and technical equipment according to current developments, as part of their contribution to improving the health and quality of life of their patients. The Hirslanden Clinic’s purchase of a CyberKnife System is part of Hirslanden Hospital Group’s further development of a stereotactic radiosurgery practice. The System will be utilized for both intracranial and extracranial treatments, particularly the non-invasive treatment of prostate cancer. Ideally the addition of the CyberKnife System will support the establishment of the Neurocenter Zurich, which will offer a full range of therapeutic options in neurological diseases.
“With the purchase of the CyberKnife, we can now offer the complete spectrum of a modern radiation-oncology program,” said Dr. Christian von Briel, co-chairman of Hirslanden radiation-oncology “We are also very excited to start a scientific cooperation with the CyberKnife centre in Nice, France. We are confident that working with this academic hospital will be valuable for the development of our extracranial activity.”
According to the National Swiss Cancer Association 34,406 people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in Switzerland during 2008. Of that, 18,660 are men and prostate cancer is expected to make up 30 percent of those cases.
“We are pleased that the Hirslanden Clinic in Zurich, a busy, full service practice with various oncology solutions, has purchased a CyberKnife System to address radiosurgery’s unique role in cancer care,” said Euan S. Thomson, Ph.D., president and CEO of Accuray. “It is clear that the Clinic recognizes the distinct differences between radiation therapy and radiosurgery, and is taking this step to offer the benefits of radiosurgery to its patients.”
The Hirslanden Clinic in Zurich is a 259-bed, modern, private clinic, which belongs to the leading Hirslanden private hospital group in Switzerland. The Hirslanden private hospital group covers 25 areas of medical expertise and consists of 13 clinics with more than 1,200 beds and 4,600 employees.
About the CyberKnife(R) Robotic Radiosurgery System
The CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System is the world’s only robotic radiosurgery system designed to treat tumors anywhere in the body non-invasively. Using continual image guidance technology and computer controlled robotic mobility, the CyberKnife System automatically tracks, detects and corrects for tumor and patient movement in real-time throughout the treatment. This enables the CyberKnife System to deliver high-dose radiation with pinpoint precision, which minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissue and eliminates the need for invasive head or body stabilization frames.
About Accuray
Accuray Incorporated , based in Sunnyvale, Calif., is a global leader in the field of radiosurgery dedicated to providing an improved quality of life and a non-surgical treatment option for those diagnosed with cancer. Accuray develops and markets the CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System, which extends the benefits of radiosurgery to include extracranial tumors, including those in the spine, lung, prostate, liver and pancreas. To date, the CyberKnife System has been used to treat more than 40,000 patients worldwide and currently more than 125 systems have been installed in leading hospitals in the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit http://www.accuray.com.
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The foregoing may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including uncertainties associated with the medical device industry. Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, clinical studies, regulatory review and approval, and market acceptance and commercialization of products and services are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made and are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual performance and results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make include: market acceptance of products; competing products, the combination of our products with complementary technology; and other risks detailed from time to time under the heading “Risk Factors” in our report on Form 10-K for the 2007 fiscal year, as updated from time to time by our quarterly reports on Form 10- Q and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.. The Company’s actual results of operations may differ significantly from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements as a result of these and other factors. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual performance or results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws.
CONTACT: Susan Lehman, Rockpoint Public Relations, +1-510-832-6006,
susan@rockpointpr.com, for Accuray Incorporated; or Stephanie Tomei, Public
Relations Manager of Accuray Incorporated, +1-408-789-4234,
stomei@accuray.com
Web site: http://www.accuray.com/
