Information contained in this news release is current as of the date of the press announcement, but may be subject to change without prior notice.
August 18, 2016
Singapore, August 18, 2016 --- Hitachi Asia Ltd. and Hitachi, Ltd. announced today that Hitachi Asia has received an order for a proton beam therapy system (“PBT” system) from the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), including a 10-year service and maintenance agreement.
The PBT system planned for the Centre will be equipped with Hitachi's spot scanning technology and will have 4 treatment rooms with rotating gantries as well as a fixed beam room. It will be the first proton beam therapy system in Southeast Asia.
Hitachi's PBT system will be housed in NCCS' newly constructed 24-storey cancer treatment and research centre, projected to complete in 2021.
Proton beam therapy is a cutting-edge cancer treatment that reduces side effects commonly found in conventional radiotherapy. Cancer is the number 1 cause of death in Singapore*. With NCCS tending to almost 70% of all public-sector institutions' cancer patients in Singapore, the availability of the first PBT system in the country is undoubtedly a milestone in its cancer treatment.
Prof Soo Khee Chee, Director of NCCS said, “NCCS aims to provide the best in cancer care. Proton beam therapy benefits cancer patients as they experience fewer side effects. It will also spur Singapore's medical community to look for new remedies for cancer. We are also excited about the research possibilities that will open up when the facility is established.”
Mr. Masaya Watanabe, CEO of Hitachi's Healthcare Business Unit added, “It is an honour for Hitachi's proton beam therapy system to be chosen by NCCS. This signifies their trust in our system and capabilities. I believe that the Centre, which aims to deliver the best cancer treatment with their talented team of professionals and highly advanced cancer research, will become a leading example of proton beam therapy systems in the region. Through this partnership, Hitachi continues to contribute to advanced cancer research and treatment across Southeast Asia.”
In December 2007, Hitachi became the first company in the world to clear the U.S. FDA Premarket Notification Special 510(k) for spot scanning irradiation technology with the PBT system. Hitachi then delivered proton beam therapy system to the largest cancer hospital in the world, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (May 2008), followed by Nagoya Proton Therapy Center (February 2013) and the Hokkaido University Hospital Proton Beam Therapy Center (March 2014). In fiscal year 2015, three more sites in the United States utilising Hitachi's proton beam therapy system have also begun patient treatment. Hitachi is also awarded the contract with Sibley Memorial Hospital, a member of Johns Hopkins Medicine in June 2015.
Hitachi's proton beam therapy systems have treated more than 10,000 patients to date while achieving over 98% clinical availability rates (system uptime). With long-term service together with quality maintenance, Hitachi's proton beam therapy system is globally renowned for its high reliability.
NCCS is recognized as one of the leading cancer centre in Southeast Asia with its outstanding care to patients through its capability to provide patient treatment safely and precisely, and NCCS selected Hitachi to reach its goal. Hitachi will support NCCS to further expand the capability to provide best patient care through safe and reliable treatment by providing the world top class proton beam therapy system.
Hitachi will accelerate the expansion of its global market share of proton beam therapy systems to contribute to cancer treatment around the world and to the growth of its healthcare business.
Proton Beam Therapy is an advanced type of cancer radiotherapy. Protons from a hydrogen atom are extracted and accelerated up to 70% of the speed of light. Its energy is concentrated directly on the tumour while avoiding radiation dose to the surrounding healthy tissues. Proton beam therapy improves the quality of life for cancer patients since the patient experiences no pain during treatment and the procedure has very few side effects compared to that of traditional radiotherapy. In most cases, patients can continue with their normal daily activities while undergoing treatment. Because there are fewer side effects, the use of proton beam therapy is expected to increase.
Spot scanning irradiation technology does not scatter proton beams as with conventional proton beam therapy. Rather, it repeatedly turns a narrow proton beam on and off at high speed as it progressively changes location to irradiate entire tumour volumes. Protons can be aimed with high precision according to the targeted tumours, even those with complex shapes, while minimising the impact on nearby healthy tissue. Furthermore, customised equipment such as collimators and boluses are not required.
National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) provides a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to cancer treatment and patient care. We treat almost 70 per cent of public cancer patients who benefit from the sub-specialisation of our clinical oncologists.
To deliver among the best in cancer treatment and care, our clinicians work closely with our scientists who conduct robust cutting-edge clinical and translational research programmes which are internationally recognised. NCCS strives to be a global leading cancer centre, and shares its expertise and knowledge by offering training to local and overseas medical professionals.
NCCS is accredited by the US-based Joint Commission International for its quality patient care and safety. www.nccs.com.sg
Hitachi Asia Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., is headquartered in Singapore. With offices across seven ASEAN countries - Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam - the company is focused on its Social Innovation Business to answer society's challenges. Hitachi Asia and its subsidiary companies offer a broad range of information & telecommunication systems, power systems, social infrastructure & industrial systems, electronic systems and equipment, construction machinery, high functional materials and components, automotive systems, home appliances, financial services and others. For more information on Hitachi Asia, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.sg.
Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, delivers innovations that answer society's challenges. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal 2015 (ended March 31, 2016) totalled 10,034.3 billion yen ($88.8 billion). The Hitachi Group is a global leader in the Social Innovation Business, and it has approximately 335,000 employees worldwide. Through collaborative creation, Hitachi is providing solutions to customers in a broad range of sectors, including Power / Energy, Industry / Distribution / Water, Urban Development, and Finance / Government & Public / Healthcare. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.
Search
Global