Varian Medical Systems and
Siemens Healthcare announced the signing of a strategic global partnership to
provide advanced diagnostic and therapeutic solutions and services for treating
cancer with image-guided radiotherapy and radiosurgery. The collaboration
covers the mutual marketing and representation of products for imaging and
treatment in the global radiation oncology business. This collaboration further
comprises the development of software interfaces between Siemens and Varian
treatment systems. The two companies will also investigate opportunities for
joint development of new products for image-guided radiotherapy and
radiosurgery.
Under the agreement, Varian
will represent Siemens diagnostic imaging products such as CT, PET/CT, or MRI
to radiation oncology clinics around the world beginning immediately in most
international markets and expanding to North America
later this year. Siemens Healthcare will similarly represent Varian equipment
and software for radiotherapy and radiosurgery within its offerings to its
healthcare customers. This will enable the companies to offer comprehensive
solutions to support the entire clinical workflow from imaging to treatment.
Siemens will continue to service and support its global installed base of
approximately 2,000 medical linear accelerators. The agreement will give
Siemens customers more choices for therapy equipment, including smooth
transition and interface to Varian equipment, as aging accelerators are due for
replacement.
Furthermore, Varian and Siemens will develop interfaces that will enable
connecting Varian’s ARIA oncology information system software with Siemens
accelerators and imaging systems to give clinics more options for improving
workflow and streamlining their operations. The collaboration enables Varian
and Siemens to co-develop and offer cancer treatment centers new imaging and
treatment solutions utilizing the strengths and technology of both companies.
Siemens Healthcare, www.siemens.com/healthcare