Contact Information: Media Contact: Danielle Davis 443-834-6725 Lisa Trapani 410-751-7554
Dutch Medical Equipment Producer Nucletron Strengthens Leading Position in Cancer Radiation Therapy Market
| Source: Nucletron B.V.
VEENENDAAL, THE NETHERLANDS--(Marketwire - June 2, 2009) - Nucletron BV, the innovative
cancer radiation solutions company, today announced the creation of an
exclusive partnership and plan to merge with sector peer Isodose Control BV
for an undisclosed sum. The two companies, headquartered in Veenendaal and
Ede, the Netherlands, are complementary and the combination will strengthen
Nucletron's position as global leader in the market for high-precision
radiation therapy equipment and software, or brachytherapy.
The merger plans were announced by the two companies' CEOs on Monday, June
1 in Toronto, Canada, at the American Brachytherapy Society's annual
conference.
"By combining strengths we will become the undisputed global market leader
in brachytherapy, which offers quality, safe and effective treatment
options for the most frequently occurring kinds of cancer," said Jos
Lamers, CEO of Nucletron.
Nucletron is the world's number one medical equipment provider in the
brachytherapy market, with a strong focus on customer support; Isodose
Control has grown in six years to become number three and has an impressive
product innovation track record.
"Isodose Control has developed a range of innovative brachytherapy products
and has a promising range in development. Together with Nucletron, we look
forward to speeding up the market introductions of these innovations to
healthcare institutions and their patients worldwide," said Eric van't
Hooft, CEO of Isodose Control BV.
Van 't Hooft in fact founded Nucletron in 1975 and built it into a
successful technology company, before merging it to Dutch stock
exchange-listed Delft Instruments NV in 1994. Van 't Hooft left nine years
later to found Isodose Control in 2003. Van't Hooft, who was awarded a
knighthood and the title Commander in the order of the Dutch Lion for his
services to science, will become a member of the Executive Management team
of Nucletron and will hold the title of Founder.
Nucletron reported a record EBITDA of EUR 17 million on net sales of EUR
112.4 million in 2008.
Growing demand for cancer radiation therapy
According to the World Health Organisation, new cases of cancer will jump
from 11.3 million in 2007 to 15.5 million in 2030, influenced in part by an
increasing and aging global population. The global market for radiation
therapy equipment is projected to reach $3.9 billion by 2015, according to
estimates by Global Industry Analysts. Brachytherapy is regarded as one of
the best treatment options for a growing range of cancer types, including
cancer of the prostate, breast and cervix. The radiation source used for
killing the cancer cells and shrinking the tumours is placed in or close to
the tumour itself. This precision approach allows doctors to concentrate
the dose of radiation in a smaller area, significantly reducing damage to
nearby healthy cells and organs. In addition, there are significantly fewer
side effects and treatment times are significantly shorter -- usually
spanning a few days instead of weeks as required in the case of external
beam radiotherapy.
About Nucletron
Nucletron, a leader in high-precision radiation therapy, works closely with
medical teams to realize innovative oncology solutions that improve patient
care. Established in 1975, the company specializes in the development,
manufacture, sales, service and ongoing support of some of the world's most
innovative cancer treatment products. Nucletron, based in Veenendaal, the
Netherlands, has offices in 15 countries and a strong market presence in
over 100 countries world-wide. For more information, visit
http://www.nucletron.com.
About Isodose Control
Isodose Control, headquartered in Ede, the Netherlands, is an
innovation-led medical technology company that specializes in developing
and distributing next generation brachytherapy solutions. Together with
oncologists and scientists world-wide, Isodose Control works continuously
to improve brachytherapy techniques, in order to provide cancer treatment
centres with the most refined and patient-friendly treatment techniques for
their patients.