Ion Beam Applications S. A announced it has signed a total system restoration contract with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), which was IBA?s first-ever proton therapy installation. The total value of the contract is between USD 80 and 100 million, and IBA has received the first payment. Mass General Cancer Center?s proton system was installed by IBA 25 years ago and treated its first patient in November 2001.

This collaboration pioneered the use of IBA Proteus®PLUS1 systems and Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) in hospitals globally. This project is the first time a comprehensive restoration will be made on a legacy machine. It demonstrates IBA?s unique ability to bring equipment into compliance with modern standards.

A significant benefit is that this process avoids the need to build a new center or decommission the entire proton therapy system, which is not only costly, but also has a high carbon footprint due to the specialty tools required to complete the decommissioning process safely. The restoration of the Mass General Cancer Center facility will include the installation of components such as robotic patient positioners, the latest pencil beam scanning nozzles, power supplies and cables, as well as the latest software releases. Some of the principal components of the existing facility, such as the cyclotron, gantry structures, and magnets, will be repaired and refurbished as needed.

This project will best position Mass General Cancer Center to continue its unparalleled history of delivering advanced cancer treatments and allow access to future technological developments.