Elekta showcases its latest achievements in medical innovation

Swedish medical equipment manufacturer Elekta is showcasing its innovative products incorporating a range of cutting-edge intelligent radiotherapy systems and facilities at the fourth China International Import Expo in Shanghai.

At this year's CIIE, Elekta is demonstrating its new technologies in radiotherapy such as an intelligent digital platform that aids in precise radiotherapy, a gamma knife, a new-generation rear-mounted brachytherapy platform and management for cancer information.

In addition, the company will launch its latest linear accelerator product at the expo.

As Elekta's star exhibit, the company is bringing its "unity" machine to this year's event, that combines the functions of high-field magnetic resonance imaging and a linear accelerator. The company is sharing some of its experiences at the ongoing event after practicing a yearlong clinical application in China.

According to the company, their product offering grows with the CIIE. In 2018, Elekta debuted the unity machine at the first CIIE. In 2019, it was used in clinical trials on the Chinese mainland by tumor hospitals in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangdong, Shandong and Sichuan provinces.

During the third CIIE, the company announced it was marketing the unity machine in China after receiving approval from the National Medical Products Administration on Aug 20, 2020.

This year, the fourth CIIE is being held on Nov 5-10 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, with a total exhibition area covering more than 360,000 square meters.

"The CIIE is the first import-themed State-level exhibition in the world, and China has always firmly supported trade liberalization and economic globalization in opening its market to the world," said Gong Anming, executive vice-president of Elekta and president of Elekta China.

"Elekta, which has been in the Chinese market for more than 40 years, is a longtime advocate of the concept and has also benefited from it for years.

"We are very optimistic about the potential of Chinese markets and also believe that the CIIE can serve as a bridge linking Elekta's advanced technologies with the increasing need for upgraded medical devices in China," Gong said.

"We have never stopped making efforts in localized research and innovation in China, and hope to take part in every session of the expo in the future, to help more medical counterparts learn about our products and bring the latest treatment methods to Chinese patients," he added.

Entering the Chinese market in 1982, Elekta has more than 700 employees in China and has opened factories and branches in cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Wuhan. It also set up a training innovation center and a software development and research center in China.

In 2018, Elekta established the Radiation Therapy Academy. It is the first cooperative development platform for medicine research and teaching in China's radiotherapy industry.

The academy was built to promote China's integration with advanced international radiotherapy technology, foster talents, and improve the clinical application level of radiotherapy in China. It does this through an innovative development platform, clinical research cooperation and talents training.

In response to the Healthy China 2030 Initiative, Elekta said that renewing traditional radiotherapy via digital solutions has been placed high on the company's agenda.

According to the company, its digital radiotherapy solutions are capable of collecting and integrating data and information from different equipment and brands. It has established its own cloud platform, which not only supports hospitals' digital sharing but contributes to cooperation and coordination among medical institutions.

Currently, Elekta is cooperating with related companies in China to develop a whole solution based on 5G, artificial intelligence and internet technologies. It aims to contribute to promoting radiotherapy treatments in more county-level hospitals across the country.

"China is the largest market for Elekta's latest equipment and it is expected to maintain double-digit growth for many years to come,"Gong said.

Founded in 1972, Elekta has been dedicated to leading industrial development by sustaining innovation in medical technology. So far, the company's business covers more than 120 countries and regions. Its advanced technologies and innovative solutions are applied in more than 7,000 medical institutions around the world, providing diagnosis and treatment services for over 2 million patients every year.