Varian Medical (NYSE:VAR) said today it won Shonin approval from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare for its ProBeam system designed for proton therapy.
Proton therapy is designed for precise treatment of certain types of cancer while providing potentially fewer side effects than conventional radiation therapy, the Palo Alto, Calif.-based company said.
Varian claims that its ProBeam system is the 1st to offer fully-integrated intensity modulated proton therapy.
“We are very pleased that the ProBeam system has now received Shonin approval. This approval is an important step in the growing availability of proton therapy in Japan and around the world,” Varian particle therapy division GM Moataz Karmalawy said in a press release.
In January, Varian successfully completed the $600 million spin-out of its imaging components biz, Varex Imaging (NSDQ:VREX).
Varex makes X-ray tubes, flat-panel detectors, connectors and accessories for imaging, as well as supplying workstations and software for computer-aided diagnostics and image processing. Varex imaging will pursue its own growth strategies independent from Varian, through offering of components, software and services for expanded imaging applications and markets, according to the company.