Varian Medical (NYSE:VAR) won clearance from China’s State Food and Drug Administration for its Unique medical linear accelerator used in radiotherapy treatments for cancer.
With more than 2.2 million new cancer cases diagnosed each year in China, the market for radiosurgery devices is huge, according to Tom Duffy, head of Varian’s Oncology Systems business in Asia.
"This presents the dedicated clinicians in China with daunting numbers of patients in need of treatment. Many departments operate 2 or 3 shifts to keep up with the demand for access to radiotherapy treatment," Duffy said in prepared remarks.
In August, Varian revealed that CEO Timothy Guertin plans to retire in September, to be replaced by COO Dow Wilson.
Guertin, who’s led the medical device company since February 2006, plans to retire Sept. 28, when Varian’s fiscal year ends. He’ll stay on as a non-executive employee and vice chairman at Palo Alto, Calif.-based Varian.