In an effort to enhance its proton therapy business, Elekta has embarked on a collaboration with proton therapy company Ion Beam Applications (IBA), announcing the partnership this week at the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) meeting in San Diego.

The two companies have entered a memorandum of understanding, agreeing to work together in developing new functionality for proton therapy treatment in Elekta’s Monaco treatment planning system and MOSAIQ oncology information system, integrating IBA’s products into Elekta’s software solutions and providing a more seamless experience to radiotherapy facilities.

The companies will also add to their portfolios by marketing and selling each other’s products.

Dee Mathieson, senior vice president for oncology at Elekta, said that co-marketing agreements — such as the one Elekta recently announced with technology company Brainlab for the integration of the Elekta Versa HD linear accelerator and Brainlab ExacTrac patient positioning and monitoring technology — allow facilities the convenience of purchasing equipment from multiple manufacturers through one vendor.

“When you get your budget, you only get so much money,” Mathieson said while showing off the company’s products on the show floor at the San Diego Convention Center. “There is an advantage just in terms of practicality. It’s more convenient to be able to get it from a single vendor.”

“Elekta has always been a pioneer in the field of radiation therapy,” said Olivier Legrain, the chief executive officer of IBA, in a statement. “Our culture of innovation and collaboration fits well with Elekta and we are excited to join forces based on a shared vision of integration.”

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