PALO ALTO, Calif., July 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Varian (NYSE:
VAR) is working in partnership with the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) to improve cancer treatment by helping hospitals
around the world deliver more precise radiotherapy doses. Through
the partnership, Varian made available a TrueBeam™
system to the IAEA's Dosimetry Laboratory in Seibersdorf,
Austria, which will enhance the
laboratory's capacity to provide support in the areas of
calibration and audit dosimetry services and relevant training.
"The new facility will provide the Dosimetry Laboratory with
significant new dosimetry calibration, dose audit, research, and
training capabilities, representing a major enhancement to the
Laboratory's ability to provide services to Member States," said
Najat Mokhtar, IAEA Deputy Director
General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and
Applications, during the opening ceremony held on 6 June 2019.
Now equipped with one of the latest technologies in the field,
the IAEA facility will help strengthen procedures in radiation
safety and support research in new codes of practice in
radiotherapy.
"Varian is extremely delighted to support the IAEA and
contribute to the expansion of training in radiotherapy. We believe
that this is an important step towards enabling better access to
high quality cancer care around the world," said Jean-Luc Devleeschauwer, president, Varian
Oncology Systems EMEIA.
While Varian provided the TrueBeam system, the governments of
Germany, Switzerland, the
United States, the United
Kingdom, and the Polish Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and
Technology provided in-kind support that includes a safe bunker to
house the facility. "It is a great privilege for us to partner with
the IAEA and engage with the individual government institutions
throughout this process," Devleeschauwer added.
The new linear accelerator facility was officially opened in
Seibersdorf, Austria, on
6 June 2019.
About the IAEA Dosimetry Laboratory
The Dosimetry Laboratory is the central laboratory of the
IAEA/WHO network of Secondary Standard Dosimetry Laboratories
(SSDLs). The Laboratory is primarily focused on services provided
to Member States through the IAEA/WHO SSDL network and dosimetry
quality audits for hospitals. The measurement standards of IAEA
Member States are calibrated, free of charge, at the IAEA's
Dosimetry Laboratory.
The laboratory offers dose audits to ensure that radiotherapy
equipment is properly calibrated for accurate, reliable and
effective cancer treatment. Differences as small as 5% from the
intended radiation dose can change the outcome of radiation
therapy. By aiming for high accuracy of doses given to patients,
dosimetry audits help eliminate risks related to inadequate
dosimetry practices at hospitals. These audits have been operated
through the IAEA/WHO dosimetry audit service since 1969. In
addition, the laboratory provides training and conducts research
and development in dosimetry and medical radiation physics.
About Varian
Varian is a leader in developing and
delivering cancer care solutions and is focused on creating a world
without fear of cancer. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Varian employs
approximately 7,000 people around the world. For more
information, visit http://www.varian.com and follow @VarianMedSys
on Twitter.
Press Contact
Mark Plungy
Director, Global Public Relations
+1 (650) 424-5630
mark.plungy@varian.com
Investor Relations Contact
J. Michael Bruff
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations
+1 (650) 424-5163
investors@varian.com
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SOURCE Varian