Varian Medical Systems Partners with the Algerian Ministry of Health to Equip Cancer Centers with Advanced Technology for Radiotherapy and Radiosurgery

ALGIERS, Algeria, Jan. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR) today announced that it has entered into an agreement with the Algerian Ministry of Health (MOH) that will include the provisioning of six cancer treatment centers with $51 million of advanced technology for radiotherapy and radiosurgery.  Varian will also establish a local entity to provide a broad spectrum of services as well as a regional training and education center.

"We are delighted and honored to partner with the Algerian Ministry to bring Varian's latest technologies in treatment planning and delivery for the benefit of cancer patients in this important region," said Kolleen Kennedy, president of Varian's Oncology Systems business. "We look forward to working closely with the radiation oncology community in Algeria to implement the most advanced techniques in radiotherapy and radiosurgery."

Varian will provide each of six cancer treatment centers with three medical linear accelerators, including a TrueBeam™ STx radiosurgery unit, as well as Eclipse™ treatment planning and ARIA® oncology information management software.  These will be the first TrueBeam systems in Northern Africa.  Varian plans to establish a parts depot in Algeria to make system components and tools readily available to service Varian equipment as needed.

The agreement also calls for Varian to establish a regional training and education "Center of Excellence" to serve as a training hub for the region.  Programs at the center will be designed to help clinicians develop the skills for using Varian technology to deliver advanced radiotherapy treatments.

Varian currently has an installed base of six treatment systems in Algeria, having installed its first medical linear accelerator there nearly 25 years ago. 

"This partnership builds on the long-standing, strong relationship we have with the Algerian Ministry of Health," Kennedy added.  "The Ministry of Health is clearly committed to expanding patient access to quality care.  They are creating a solid foundation to address a growing need for advanced cancer treatment capability.  We would also like to acknowledge the United States Embassy and U.S. Department of Commerce for invaluable assistance they provided as we worked to develop this important partnership."

Varian will begin installing technology this year and expects to book approximately half of the orders in the second quarter of fiscal 2014, with the remaining portion to be booked as additional delivery dates are set and service is performed.  

"The Algerian Ministry of Health is looking forward to working with Varian to offer the people of Algeria some of the world's most advanced cancer fighting technology, together with training facilities that will help prepare local clinicians to offer quality treatments safely and effectively," said Slim Belkessam, advisor to the Algerian Health Minister.

According to the World Health Organization, over 30,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed each year in Algeria, with breast cancer the most common among women, and lung cancer the most common among men. 

About Varian Medical Systems
Varian Medical Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California, is the world's leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiotherapy, radiosurgery, and brachytherapy. The company supplies informatics software for managing comprehensive cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers and medical oncology practices. Varian is a premier supplier of tubes and digital detectors for X-ray imaging in medical, scientific, and industrial applications and also supplies X-ray imaging products for cargo screening and industrial inspection. Varian Medical Systems employs approximately 6,400 people who are located at manufacturing sites in North America, Europe, and China and 72 sales and support offices around the world.  For more information, visit http://www.varian.com or follow us on Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information, this news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements concerning industry outlook, including growth drivers; the company's future orders, revenues or other financial performance; the ability of the company's technology and products to treat cancer; and any statements using the terms "will," "plan," "expect," "expand," or similar statements are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include the effect of global economic conditions; demand for the company's products; the company's ability to develop, commercialize, and deploy new products; the company's ability to meet legal and regulatory requirements; changes in the legal or regulatory environment; and the other risks listed from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which by this reference are incorporated herein. The company assumes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements in this release because of new information, future events, or otherwise.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Neil Madle, Tel: +44 7786 526068
[email protected]

SOURCE Varian Medical Systems