SHI receives first order for next-generation proton therapy system from Taichung Veterans General Hospital

Rhea-AI Summary

Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Tokyo:6302) has secured an order from Taichung Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan for a next-generation proton therapy system. This system will be installed at a new proton therapy center in Taichung City, with operations expected to commence in 2026. This marks the first order for SHI's next-generation technology, which features a compact design that reduces building volume by approximately 30%. The system aims to enhance cancer treatment in East Asia, enabling more precise, less invasive therapy that minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

Positive

• First order for next-generation proton therapy system enhances SHI's market position.
• The new system's compact design decreases building volume by about 30%, optimizing space utilization.
• Advanced features allow for high precision treatment of moving organs, improving patient outcomes.

Negative

• The next-generation proton therapy system is still an unapproved medical device, posing regulatory risks.

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. (TOKYO:6302) (head office: Shinagawa City, Tokyo; President and CEO: Shinji Shimomura; hereinafter "SHI") has received an order from Taichung Veterans General Hospital (Taiwan) for a next-generation proton therapy system (*). The next-generation system will be installed at a new proton therapy center to be established in Taichung City, Taiwan, and proton therapy is scheduled to begin in 2026. This is the first order for SHI's next-generation system.

Next-generation proton therapy system (Graphic: Business Wire)

With the aim of realizing societies where people can live long and healthy, SHI will continue to contribute to cancer treatment in the East Asian region, including Taiwan.

[Taichung Veterans General Hospital]

Taichung Veterans General Hospital is a national hospital located in central Taiwan and provides safe and high-quality medical services with new medical technologies and outstanding talents. Taichung Veterans General Hospital plans to conduct research on new treatment technologies, such as FLASH, in collaboration with SHI.

[Next-generation proton therapy system]

The next-generation proton therapy system to be introduced is a multi-room type and will accommodate two treatment rooms equipped with rotating gantries and one room for future expansion. The compact system layout reduces the building volume by approximately 30%, and a large-field cone-beam CT mounted on a 360-degree rotating gantry provides simple and highly accurate patient positioning. The system will also enable short-time irradiation to treat moving organs such as lungs and livers with high precision. The system is equipped with a superconducting cyclotron, which has the world's most powerful output for proton therapy.

[Proton therapy]

Proton therapy is a type of radiation therapy for cancer in which protons, also called hydrogen ions, are accelerated and irradiated to tumors to destroy tumor cells. Damage to normal tissues around the tumor is reduced, resulting in fewer side effects and making it easier for patients to maintain their social life.

(*) The next-generation proton therapy system is an unapproved medical device.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221201006071/en/

Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Corporate Communications Dept.

Mail : shi.zshi_koho@shi-g.com

Source: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.

FAQ

What is the recent order received by Sumitomo Heavy Industries related to?

Sumitomo Heavy Industries received an order for a next-generation proton therapy system from Taichung Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan.

When is the proton therapy system scheduled to begin operation?

The proton therapy system is scheduled to begin operation in 2026.

What are the key features of the next-generation proton therapy system?

The system features a compact design that reduces building volume by 30%, and allows for highly precise treatment of moving organs.

What market does Sumitomo Heavy Industries aim to impact with this new system?

SHI aims to contribute to cancer treatment in the East Asian region, including Taiwan.

Is the next-generation proton therapy system approved for use?

No, the next-generation proton therapy system is an unapproved medical device.