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.
April 27, 2017
![[image]The contract signing ceremony for the heavy ion therapy system.](170427d.jpg)
The contract signing ceremony for the heavy ion therapy system.*
Tokyo April 27, 2017 -- Hitachi, Ltd. announced today that Hitachi has received a Letter of Intent for the delivery of a heavy ion cancer therapy system, the first such system in the Republic of Korea (herein, "Korea"), from Yonsei University Health System (Do-Heum Yoon, MD, PhD; President & CEO). As a result, Hitachi has gained exclusive rights and will move forward with detailed contract negotiations.
Particle therapy is a cutting-edge cancer treatment that reduces side effects commonly found in conventional radiotherapy. This non-invasive treatment is safe even for elderly patients, one of the many reasons why orders are increasing across the globe, including Asia.
Established in 1885, Yonsei University Health System has a 132 year history in which it was the first modern medical center in Korea. Today it is one of the 5 major hospitals in Seoul. Current plans are to construct Korea's first heavy ion cancer therapy system at Severance Hospital in Sinchon, Seoul, under the Yonsei University Health System organization.
Hitachi's particle therapy system has been adopted by top medical facilities in Japan, the United States and Asia, including the MD Anderson Cancer Center in the United States. Furthermore, a heavy ion cancer therapy system at the Osaka Heavy ion Therapy Center will begin patient treatments in 2018.
Yonsei University Health System, having recognized Hitachi's vast technical expertise in particle therapy and its list of world class clinical partners, has issued Hitachi a Letter of Intent which grants exclusive rights to continue detailed discussions including the exchange of technical information necessary for collaborative building design and formal contract negotiation.
Hitachi will continue to expand into new markets through its innovative contributions in particle therapy and achievements throughout its global healthcare business.
Particle therapy is a type of radiation treatment used to treat cancer in which protons from a hydrogen atom are extracted and accelerated up to 70％ the speed of light. Its energy is concentrated directly on the tumor while avoiding radiation dose to the surrounding healthy tissues. The acceleration of hydrogen atoms is used in what is called proton therapy, while the acceleration of carbon ions is used in heavy ion particle therapy. Patients experience no pain during treatment and the procedure has very few side effects compared with that of traditional radiotherapy. In most cases, patients can continue with their normal daily activities while undergoing treatment, thus maintaining their Quality of Life. For these reasons, it continues to gain attention as a cutting-edge form of cancer therapy.
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) totaled 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.
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