Still River becomes Mevion, unveils MEVION S250 proton system

Oct 3, 2011
MedicalPhysicsWeb

LITTLETON, MA, 1 October 2011 – Mevion Medical Systems, Inc. announced today that it changed its name from Still River Systems. This change reflects the company’s transition from a research and development organization to the commercial manufacturer of the MEVION S250™ Proton Therapy System.

Proton therapy is widely regarded as the optimal means of delivering therapeutic radiation to treat a variety of cancers, but is not widely available because of the immense size, enormous expense, and sheer complexity of traditional proton therapy systems. Mevion eliminates these obstacles with the introduction of the MEVION S250, a revolutionary proton therapy system that combines a patented, gantry-mounted proton source with highly integrated, image-based workflow – making proton therapy a practical clinical reality. "Years of intense and focused research lead to the development of a breakthrough high-energy proton source, the world’s first superconducting synchrocyclotron", says Dr. Kenneth Gall, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer. "This innovative design allowed us to dramatically reduce the size, cost and complexity of proton acceleration, while preserving all of the treatment benefits of proton therapy."

"Since our inception, we have been dedicated to developing a safe, precise and efficient approach to proton therapy. Similar in footprint, workflow, and throughput to a modern radiation therapy linac, the MEVION S250 provides a remarkably practical means of delivering cutting-edge cancer care", said Joseph Jachinowski, Chief Executive Officer of Mevion Medical Systems. "Today we feel confident that we can expand our focus from strictly R&D to full product commercialization. Given this important moment in our history, we think it is appropriate that we mark this transformation with a new name and identity".

The MEVION S250 was introduced with the new corporate branding at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) in Miami Beach, Fl; October 2nd – 4th at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Full details of Mevion’s technology and the MEVION S250 Proton Therapy System can be found on the new corporate website, www.mevion.com.
About Mevion Medical Systems

Mevion Medical Systems, Inc. (formerly Still River Systems, Inc.) is a radiation therapy company dedicated to advancing the treatment of cancer. As the pioneering developer of modern proton therapy systems, Mevion provides innovative, safe, and effective solutions by transforming advances in medical technology and science into practical clinical reality.

Mevion’s flagship product, the MEVION S250 Proton Therapy System, is designed to preserve all of the treatment benefits of traditional proton therapy systems while removing the obstacles of size, cost, and complexity. Realizing this vision, Mevion has forever changed the economics and accessibility of proton therapy worldwide.

Founded in 2004, Mevion is a privately held company headquartered in the Boston metropolitan area with international offices in the United Kingdom and Japan.

The United States Food and Drug Administration has not cleared the MEVION S250 Proton Therapy System for clinical use. Visit us at: www.mevion.com
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Proton Therapy Accelerator Arrives for Installation and Commissioning at McLaren Proton Therapy Center

October 03, 2011 01:09 PM
Business Wire

Proton Therapy Accelerator Arrives for Installation and Commissioning at McLaren Proton Therapy Center in Flint, Michigan, USA

FLOWER MOUND, Texas & FLINT, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ProTom International, Inc. (“ProTom”) is proud to announce the commencement of installation of the synchrotron accelerator, a component of the Radiance 330TM* proton therapy system under development at the McLaren Proton Therapy Center (MPTC). The MPTC is being developed on the Flint campus of the McLaren Regional Medical Center and the Great Lakes Cancer Institute by McLaren Health Care and ProTom International. Proton beam therapy technology is growing more widespread in use as a form of radiation therapy for cancer.

“following installation, our focus is on validating and testing the interface between the Radiance 330 and the remaining proton therapy system, followed by commissioning and securing all necessary regulatory clearances necessary for operation.”

Synchrotron installation has commenced at the MPTC after having arrived last month via commercial airline from Boston. The size and weight of the compact accelerator is in great contrast with previous generations of monolithic, expensive, and heavy proton therapy technology – some requiring special cranes, transport, rigging and even bridge reinforcements in order to reach their destinations. The Radiance 330™ accelerator and one treatment room will fit into the space of approximately two standard radiation treatment rooms, opening the possibility for the modular and scalable system to be added as an extension to an existing or remodeled radiotherapy center or configured as a stand-alone facility.

Recent collaborative research, testing, calibration and refinements with accelerator physics and engineering thought-leaders at the MIT-Bates Linear Accelerator Center on a working synchrotron have resulted in over 12 upgrades to the synchrotron. Several important advanced features optimized to provide the best possible proton beam for delivering treatment using a technology known as “scanned pencil beams” stemmed from such refinements.† Bates is part of the Laboratory for Nuclear Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

“We are pleased to provide our Radiance 330 system for the first proton therapy facility in the state of Michigan,” said ProTom CEO Stephen L. Spotts. “Previous generations of technology were difficult to finance, inefficient to operate, and limited in capabilities. Radiation shielding requirements were daunting and facilities to house and operate the equipment were immense. These obstacles discouraged many local hospitals from considering this technology in the past. The scaled-down facility and equipment costs of the Radiance 330™ system constitute a financially viable project which is easier to implement, paving the way for community-based proton therapy.” Spotts added that “following installation, our focus is on validating and testing the interface between the Radiance 330 and the remaining proton therapy system, followed by commissioning and securing all necessary regulatory clearances necessary for operation.”

“Construction on the McLaren Proton Therapy Center began in October 2010 and we are on track to treat our first patient in December 2012. This represents a development cycle of 23 months which compares to 36 – 40 months for first generation models,” said McLaren Health Care President and CEO Philip A. Incarnati, “ and we are on-track for a total project duration of 2 years 9 months from equipment contract to first patient. We have the opportunity to develop something that will not only help Michigan residents gain access to critical cancer-fighting technology but would make our state a vital launching ground to bring this new technology to the nation,” Incarnati said.

About McLaren Health Care

Recognized by Verispan as one of the top Integrated Health Networks in the nation, McLaren Health Care includes more than 150 locations, 15,000 employees and over 10,000 network physicians. It includes nine wholly-owned regional hospitals: McLaren Regional Medical Center in Flint; Lapeer Regional Medical Center; Ingham Regional Medical Center and Ingham Regional Orthopedic Hospital in Lansing; Bay Regional Medical Center and Bay Special Care Hospital in Bay City; Mount Clemens Regional Medical Center in Mount Clemens; Central Michigan Community Hospital in Mt. Pleasant and POH Regional Medical Center in Pontiac. McLaren Homecare Group, an award-winning home health provider, and McLaren Health Plan, a top-rated commercial and Medicaid HMO are also a part of the system. To find out more about how we’re changing the future of health care, visit www.mclaren.org.

About Great Lakes Cancer Institute

Through the combined resources of McLaren Health Care and the clinical trials research capabilities at MSU, the Great Lakes Cancer Institute is advancing the science of cancer medicine. More than 300 of the state's most highly experienced cancer specialists, oncologists, physicians, surgeons and researchers make up GLCI, working together to beat cancer. For more information, visit www.glci.com.

About ProTom International, Inc.

ProTom International, Inc. is a medical device company committed to a new generation of financially viable proton radiotherapy centers that are easier to implement and equipped with advanced, modern technology. The Radiance 330™ system makes community-based proton therapy truly accessible by reducing cost and technology barriers inherent with previous generations of equipment. Clear direction forward in radiation oncology has arrived – so now you can provide proton therapy close to home. At ProTom International, proton therapy is not only what we do, it is all we do. Our proton therapy operations are headquartered in the USA — our manufacturing, development, research, service and proton therapy projects are all managed and operated right here in America.

* The Radiance 330TM Proton Therapy System has not been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for commercial distribution in the U.S. at this time.

† ProTom has filed for 31 patents, six of which have been issued to date by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

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Contacts

ProTom International
Stephen Sledge, 904-502-4032
ssledge@protominternational.com
or
McLaren Health Care
Kevin Tompkins, 810-342-1173
KevinTo@mclaren.org
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ProTom International and Advanced Proton Solutions Announce Collaboration

Thu Sep 29, 2011 9:11am EDT
Reuters

* Reuters is not responsible for the content in this press release.

New proton beam therapy center in the City of London to install ProTom’s Radiance 330TM proton therapy system

ProTom International, Inc. (“ProTom”) is proud to announce it has entered into an arrangement with United Kingdom-based Advanced Proton Solutions Holdings Limited (“APS”) to provide its Radiance 330 proton therapy system for the new APS facility that will be built in the City of London.

“Advanced Proton Solutions represents an ideal partner for ProTom’s first international venture. Due to its modular design and smaller footprint, our Radiance 330 system is a great solution for sustainable urban locations such as the City of London,” said Stephen Spotts, CEO of ProTom.

“Proton beam therapy represents an innovation in cancer treatment, and ProTom’s technology will allow the development of the APS purpose-built facility in Moorgate, City of London. APS is proud to take a leadership role in bringing such an important advance to cancer patients in the UK, thus allowing treatment at home versus abroad,” said Simon Grinstead, Chief Executive Officer of APS.

Proton beam therapy is the next generation in radiation therapy treating solid tumors. Unlike conventional radiation, proton beam therapy can deliver a highly precise and direct dose of radiation to the tumor, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue and reducing side effects.

APS in conjunction with Valentine Investments Ltd. announced earlier this month that the City of London granted planning permission (zoning approval) to develop the Moorgate property for a proton beam therapy center, a new purpose-built health facility. The development will be on four levels below ground, together with ground and seven upper floors, plus plant areas. The four basement levels will house ProTom’s proton beam therapy equipment, and the upper floors will include ancillary uses such as treatment and consulting rooms, offices, and storage.

About ProTom International, Inc.

Headquartered in Flower Mound, Texas, ProTom is a medical device company focused on increasing the availability and accessibility of proton therapy in order to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients. ProTom’s unique and new generation technology allows facilities to be built on a smaller scale and at a substantially lower capital cost, significantly reducing ongoing operational expenses. For more information, visit www.ProTomInternational.com.

About Advanced Proton Solutions Holdings Limited

Advanced Proton Solutions Holdings Limited, a Jersey CI company, develops and operates cancer treatment centers using the latest technologies. It currently has three projects underway in the United States in partnership with major medical institutions. The London facility is the first of a number of non-US projects in which APS is involved. For more information, visit www.AdvancedProtonSolutions.com.

ProTom International, Inc.
Cheryl Smith, 972-410-3551
csmith@protominternational.com
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