Elekta announced today that it entered into a joint venture with Sinopharm to increase the adoption of radiation therapy in China.
The initiative aims to bring radiation therapy to what’s considered lower-tier cities. These cities comprise approximately 70% of China’s population, according to a news release.
Elekta develops precision radiation therapy to treat cancer. The FDA cleared its latest offering, the Comprehensive Motion Management (CMM) with True Tracking and automatic gating, last month.
Shanghai-based Sinopharm (China National Pharmaceutical Group) covers all aspects of healthcare. Its pharmaceutical business is the second largest in the world, according to our sister publication Drug Discovery & Development‘s Pharma 50 report. In addition to drug development, Sinopharm operates a substantial China-based logistics network for drugs and medical devices. It engages in R&D, manufacturing, logistics, distribution and healthcare delivery.
The companies say that, through the joint venture, Elekta could improve access to more than 1,000 medical institutions. The partnership applies to small cities within Sinopharm Group’s service network.
“We are proud of what we have achieved in China over the past four decades, especially the first-class manufacturing facility in Beijing that produces linear accelerators, for both domestic and international markets,” Elekta CEO Gustaf Salford said. “By leveraging Sinopharm’s platform and service network with Elekta’s advanced radiation therapy technology and deep expertise, I am confident that we can collectively bring hope to everyone dealing with cancer.”
The joint venture aims to help china meet the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) recommendations. IAEA recommends four radiotherapy units per million people with a minimum of at least 1.5 units per million.
“Elekta has been operating in the Chinese market for 40 years,” added Anming Gong, Elekta EVP for the Chian region. “Our ambition is to extend world-class radiation therapy services to all levels of hospital throughout the country. This collaboration with Sinopharm will help ensure that Chinese people will have access to the same high-quality precision radiation therapy, regardless of where they live.”
Elekta and Sinopharm collaborate after both partnered with GE HealthCare
Earlier this month, GE HealthCare announced a long-term venture with Sinopharm to expand its footprint in China’s medical device market.
The two companies already had an existing collaboration. In the new one, they partnered to provide non-premium CT and general imaging ultrasound solutions for primary care and rural health. GE HealthCare said the two companies may further expand the agreement as the joint venture develops.
In April 2022, Elekta entered into a global partnership with GE HealthCare (then still part of GE).
The collaboration covers the radiation oncology field. Elekta and GE HealthCare aim to bring hospitals a comprehensive offering across imaging and treatment for cancer patients.