Leo Cancer Care, a pioneer in advanced cancer care solutions, has partnered with Sumitomo Heavy Industries, a global leader in medical technology, to unveil a new configuration for proton therapy. This collaboration underscores the shared commitment of both companies to expanding access to proton therapy worldwide. The innovative configuration integrates Sumitomo Heavy Industries’ cutting-edge compact cyclotron technology with Leo Cancer Care’s Marie® upright treatment solution, which includes patient positioning and CT imaging capabilities.
Proton therapy is renowned for its ability to precisely target tumors, yet its adoption has been limited by the size, cost, and infrastructure demands of conventional systems. Leo Cancer Care’s Marie upright solution addresses these challenges by rotating the patient rather than the beam, resulting in a dramatically smaller footprint and a more cost-effective system.
The upright approach represents a significant advancement in making proton therapy more accessible and practical for broader clinical use. Beyond reducing the barriers of size and cost, research indicates that remaining in a natural, upright position during treatment can help maintain consistent anatomical alignment and enhance patient comfort, fostering a more connected and positive treatment experience.
Sumitomo Heavy Industries’ adoption of this approach marks a critical moment in the evolution of proton therapy. While several providers are incorporating Leo Cancer Care’s technology, the scale and leadership of Sumitomo Heavy Industries add considerable momentum to the effort to make this transformative treatment widely available.
Stephen Towe, CEO of Leo Cancer Care, stated, “This partnership with Sumitomo Heavy Industries is about more than technology—it’s about the patients. By combining our upright solution with Sumitomo’s compact cyclotron, we are taking a major step toward making proton therapy accessible to those who could truly benefit from it.”
“With our partnership with Leo Cancer Care, we hope to create an optional feature that allows proton therapy in an upright position in addition to our standard rotating gantry systems,” said Toshikazu Hiasa, General Manager of the Industrial Equipment Division at Sumitomo Heavy Industries. Proton therapy will become more patient-friendly and accessible as a result, furthering our goal of using cutting-edge medical accelerators to improve the availability and quality of cancer treatment.
This partnership positions both companies at the forefront of efforts to modernize proton therapy, making it more practical, efficient, and patient-centered.
