"Institut Curie, where radiotherapy was born over 100 years ago, continues to be the leading innovator in this field thanks to dynamic research carried out as a result of joint collaboration between biologists, physicists, and doctors. This framework agreement with Varian, the world leader in radiotherapy, is part of our investment plan[1] launched in 2023 aimed at building the future of radiotherapy and offering patients the most innovative techniques. It will help accelerate the initiation of ambitious research projects," states Prof. Steven Le Gouill, Director of the Institut Curie Hospital Group.
This agreement formalizes a sustainable collaboration strategy in terms of research and development, with the objective of driving innovation in radiotherapy between two major players in the global fight against cancer. The first radiotherapy and proton therapy center in France, Institut Curie is equipped with one of the most efficient technical platforms in Europe, treating more than 6,000 new patients per year for all cancers. For more than 75 years, world leader Varian has been developing and delivering innovative radiotherapy solutions to its international clinical collaborators, enabling them to treat millions of patients every year.
A unique collaborative arsenal for innovation in radiotherapy
About 50 to 70% of cancer treatments include radiotherapy sessions[2]. The challenges of this technique today consist of treating the tumor effectively while reducing side effects. The first phase of this agreement is to initiate innovative research projects aimed at developing more precise, conservative, and personalized treatments by combining the clinical expertise of Institut Curie and the unique know-how of Varian.
The two collaborators will also work together to accelerate the marketing of breakthrough radiotherapy technologies. To this end, Institut Curie teams will benefit from privileged access to the latest generation equipment and software developed by Varian before they are put on the market. Varian will thus be able to improve its technologies thanks to the specific feedback from the teams regarding the use of the systems.
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The first collaborations launched between Institut Curie and Varian focus on the development of new state-of-the-art equipment - one of them being the recent installation[1] of the very first HyperSight system in France on a Halcyon accelerator at Institut Curie's Paris site. This cutting-edge imaging technology, which is an optional feature on most Varian linear accelerator, has enabled Institut Curie teams to benefit from a considerable improvement in image quality and adaptive tools, to optimize the accuracy and effectiveness of treatments for the benefit of patients.
Several research projects are currently underway, including one aimed at optimizing new treatment planning, a crucial process for optimizing tumor targeting during the radiotherapy session, while avoiding surrounding healthy tissue. |
Beyond research, the second phase of this agreement will focus on the supervision of a complete range of collaborations between Institut Curie and Varian: services, site visits,[3] and training[4]. These initiatives will allow the two collaborators to access each other's expertise and join forces to meet their common ambitions: to deepen knowledge in radiotherapy, improve the dissemination of knowledge, optimize the training of technical and medical teams, and develop new cutting-edge technologies for the benefit of patients.
"This strategic agreement with Institut Curie represents a significant step in our commitment to transforming radiotherapy and redefining treatment standards. By combining our expertise, we are determined to drive innovation forward, providing solutions that not only improve patients ‘live but also bring us closer to our vision of a world without fear of cancer,” said Laurent Amiel, President Varian Europe, Middle East, and Africa.
"We are pleased to launch this major strategic collaboration with Varian, our long-standing partner. This collaboration embodies the continuous commitment of Institut Curie to developing new cutting-edge treatments to improve patient care. This privileged partnership, made possible by our Carnot* label of excellence which promotes partnerships between academics and industry, reaffirms our ambition to make France the European leader in radiotherapy and thus strengthen France's influence in medical research," states the Dr. Cécile Campagne, Director of Institut Curie’s Technology Transfer Office and Deputy Director of Carnot Curie Cancer.
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[1] Read our press release "Radiotherapy at Institut Curie: a boost for cutting-edge innovation" [2] Source : Agence internationale de l'énergie atomique [3] Institut Curie is a Varian referral center. It allows potential Varian customers (hospitals, clinics, etc.) to observe and test the equipment in a suitable environment and alongside the expert teams of Institut Curie. [4] Institut Curie is a training site for Varian equipment, and it offers many courses each year. |
