New Possibilities for Patients With Difficult to Treat Cancers

By Brainlab Varian Medical Systems Clatterbridge Centre For Oncology And The Walton Centre., PRNE
Saturday, February 5, 2011

First UK Novalis TxTM Radiosurgery Launched Today

LIVERPOOL, England, February 7, 2011 - Today, for the first time in the UK, cancer patients are starting to
receive treatment with Novalis Tx radiosurgery. This device gives the chance
of a cure to those with inoperable tumours and offers the possibility to
perform precise painless treatment to tumours in a single patient visit.

The Novalis Tx makes it possible for doctors to treat patients with
tumours virtually anywhere in the body in just a single session. Combining a
'sat nav' like targeting system and powerful treatment beams, the Novalis Tx
can destroy cancerous cells and helps to protect surrounding healthy tissue.
Treatment is also made more patient-friendly by delivering frameless
radiosurgery for brain tumours; an alternative to techniques that require
immobilisation with an invasive head ring[1] that is affixed to the skull.

In its first year of operation the Novalis Tx, installed at the brand new
Clatterbridge Cancer Centre - Liverpool, is expected to treat over 800 cancer
patients. It is estimated that 150 of these patients will be priority brain
tumour patients where precise, non-invasive treatment is particularly
effective.

Dr Brian Haylock, Consultant Oncologist and Clinical Director for
Radiotherapy at Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology, comments:

"Unlike some other highly specialised radiation treatment machines, the
Novalis Tx can treat many different types of cancer in all over the body
allowing us to treat more cancer patients with a single device. This coupled
with the speed with which we can treat patients - in some cases in as little
as 15 minutes in just one session - means the equipment will be available for
the benefit of more patients here in the UK."

The Novalis Tx promises to improve patients' access to world-leading
cancer treatment in the UK. Clatterbridge and The Walton Centre have worked
in partnership to bring this state-of-the-art treatment option to UK
patients. Later this year Novalis Tx machines will become operational at two
other specialist NHS cancer centres in Edinburgh and Manchester. Treatment
with Novalis Tx will be considered for any patient in the UK for whom their
doctor feels it is suitable.

Almost 300,000 people are diagnosed with cancer in the UK each year[2]
and recent estimates show that of these almost 50,000 people develop either
primary or secondary brain tumours[3]. Malignant primary brain tumours take
more years off the average person's life than any other cancer and are the
most significant cause of cancer death amongst men under 45 years and women
under 352.

Sue Farrington-Smith, Director of the charity Brain Tumour Research,
comments on the launch:

"We are delighted that advanced brain tumour treatments like the Novalis
Tx are now available to cancer patients on the NHS. The work of Clatterbridge
and The Walton Centre Trusts in Liverpool will undoubtedly provide the best
cancer care for their patients. This is inspirational stuff."

Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology's new purpose-built facility will be
equipped with the Novalis Tx radiosurgery system and two other radiotherapy
treatment systems, together with expert cancer rehabilitation and support
services.

David Brett, Marketing Director for Radiotherapy at Brainlab, the
radiosurgery pioneers who co-developed the Novalis Tx with medical device
manufacturer Varian Medical Systems, said:

"We continually strive to develop cutting-edge treatments that offer
doctors the best treatment possibilities for their patients. We are proud to
be part of the collaboration between leading oncology and neurosurgery teams
and delighted to offer better care to UK patients. We hope that the three
first sites for the Novalis Tx will help support the provision of improved
cancer care to patients."

Further information:

About Brainlab

Brainlab develops, manufactures and markets software-driven medical
technology that supports targeted, less-invasive treatment. Core products are
image-guided systems and software that provide real-time information used for
surgical navigation and radiosurgical planning and delivery.

Brainlab technology drives collaboration between hospitals and clinicians
from a wide variety of subspecialties-from neurosurgery and oncology to
orthopedics, ENT, CMF and spine and trauma. This integration delivers better
access to improved and more efficient treatment.

Founded in 1989, the privately held Brainlab group has 5,180 systems
installed in more than 80 countries. Based in Munich, Germany, Brainlab
employs 950 people in 16 offices worldwide.

To learn more, visit www.brainlab.com.

About Varian Medical Systems

Varian Medical Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California, is the world's
leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and
other medical conditions with radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy, and
brachytherapy. The company supplies informatics software for managing
comprehensive cancer clinics, radiotherapy centres and medical oncology
practices. Varian is a premier supplier of tubes and digital detectors for
X-ray imaging in medical, scientific, and industrial applications and also
supplies X-ray imaging products for cargo screening and industrial
inspection. Varian Medical Systems employs approximately 5,100 people who are
located at manufacturing sites in North America, China, and Europe and in its
79 sales and support offices around the world. For more information, visit
www.varian.com.

About Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology

Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology is the leading NHS cancer specialist
hospital for the Merseyside and Cheshire. Based in Wirral, they serve a
population of 2.3 million across Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales, the Isle
of Man
and South Lancashire. They provide an outstanding level of care;
revolutionary cancer treatments and a supportive environment committed to
providing cancer patients and their families with advice and support.

Their radiotherapy treatments are delivered in one of the best equipped
and largest radiotherapy departments in the UK and their expertise attracts
international attention as a market leader in cutting edge radiotherapy
treatment techniques and technologies. They will open their first satellite
radiotherapy centre in Liverpool in February 2011.

About The Walton Centre

The Walton Centre is a purpose built facility, which was opened in 1998.
Since that time they have continued to develop our services at the Centre and
in our satellite clinics, with valued support and partnership from Merseyside
neurological charities, Neurosupport and the Welsh Neurological Alliance.
They provide a comprehensive range of services: neurology, neurosurgery, pain
management, rehabilitation and specialist diagnostic services.

The Walton Centre is unique to the NHS in that it is the only specialist
Neurosciences Trust in the UK. Based in Liverpool, their catchment population
is over 3.5 million and is drawn from Merseyside, Cheshire, parts of
Lancashire and Greater Manchester, the Isle of Man and North Wales. However,
with an international reputation in some areas of expertise, referrals are
accepted on the basis of clinical need from any geographical area.

[1] Some doctors may opt for a minimally invasive head frame depending on
the specific treatment and patient.

[2] Cancer Research UK. Cancer incidence - UK statistics. 2007.
info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerstats/incidence/ (Last accessed 21 Jan
2011
)

[3] Brain Tumour Research, Brain Tumour UK, International Brain Tumour
Alliance & Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust. A manifesto for everyone
affected by a brain tumour.
www.braintumouruk.org.uk/sites/default/files/manifesto_4_web_lo_res.pdf
(Last accessed 21 Jan 2011)

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Press enquiries: Rob Jones: Contact: rjones at pegasuspr.co.uk +44(0)1903-821550; Issued by: Pegasus Public Relations

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