Accuray, University of Heidelberg enter multi-year master research and collaboration agreement

Accuray Incorporated (Nasdaq: ARAY), the premier radiation oncology company, announced today the signing of a multi-year master research and collaboration agreement with the University of Heidelberg, a luminary research institution located in Heidelberg, Germany that contributes to the city's top international position in therapy, research and science. Accuray and the University of Heidelberg will collaborate on cutting-edge research in radiation oncology to advance treatment technology and provide health care professionals with the most advanced tools for treating patients.

A longstanding research collaboration with the University of Heidelberg has been in existence surrounding TomoTherapy technology, which included exploration of new treatment options with helical TomoTherapy and associated journal publications about advanced use of this expanded application. The University of Heidelberg was the first TomoTherapy installation in Germany in 2006. A second TomoTherapy System was installed in 2010. Together these systems – a TomoHD and a TomoTherapy Hi-Art – treat approximately 700 patients per year, representing 70 percent of the approximately 1,000 patients treated by intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) at the hospital each year, and 20 percent of the approximately 3,500 patients treated by their Radiation Oncology department each year.

"We are pleased to be partnering with Accuray to advance cancer care," said Prof. Dr. Dr. Jurgen Debus, Director of the Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Heidelberg. "We have a long history using TomoTherapy technologies and have seen the benefits they offer cancer patients, so we are eager to explore further scientific advancements together."

In addition to its role in advancing radiation oncology and patient care, this master research and collaboration agreement bears particular significance for Accuray as it represents an opportunity for expanded collaboration captured as a result of Siemens' exit from the radiation therapy business. Siemens has a longstanding collaboration arrangement with University of Heidelberg for both radiology and therapeutic radiation oncology research. With Siemens' exit from the linear accelerator business, as announced within the company's November 10, 2011 press release, the University of Heidelberg will continue to collaborate with Siemens on imaging research, while Accuray will now serve as a therapeutic radiation oncology research partner.

"We are extremely pleased to be entering into this important research and collaboration agreement with the University of Heidelberg, as we work together to explore new paradigms in radiation oncology for the betterment of patient care," said Euan S. Thomson, Ph.D., Accuray president and chief executive officer. "As the premier radiation oncology company with market-leading technologies for image-guided IMRT and radiosurgery, we believe partnerships such as this can make huge inroads in advancing treatment technologies and improving patient care."