The Universidad de La Frontera starts to position a research line of importance for the whole world. Significant results in cancer treatment are expected because of this innovative idea. We are the first university in creating, designing and putting into operation an alternative device for radiation therapy treatment.

When Dr. Rodolfo Figueroa decided to use his knowledge in physics to apply it to the field of medicine, he never thought that this idea of creating a device for focused radiation therapy would interest a company like Elekta, the second largest radiation therapy devices manufacturing company in Europe.

As the result of a Fondef (Fund for the Promotion of Scientific and Technological Development) Project that started in 2015, Dr. Figueroa and other researchers in that field have revolutionized the medical field by presenting the design, creating and putting into operation a compact device that emits convergent X photons as they are used in external radiation therapy and favors the dose distribution compared to other techniques used at the present. The result is an improved effectiveness in radiation therapy and it generates an excellent profile regarding the profound doses since the dose can be concentrated more precisely without damaging healthy organs around the tumor.

CONTACT WITH THE BEST
In this context, the researchers came to Elekta, Europe’s leading company – the second largest in the world – in the manufacturing of medical radiation therapy equipment. “We made contact with the researcher Uwe Oelfke, one of the main scientists dedicated to this topic, and with his help we were able to visit The Institute of Cancer Research in London, in the UK, and also had the possibility to present our project to the Elekta executive managers”, Dr. Figueroa commented.

And this presentation has been one of the most important for them to promote their idea. They were able to show it to one of the most selective and demanding groups in the world. Among them, Kevin Brown, the Elekta VP of Research and Innovation and John Ellen, the Engineer and Director of Elekta in the UK.

“We showed our scientific productivity with 12 scientific publications and 3 associated patents. The accompaniment of the director of Innovation and Technology Transfer, Claudine Uribe, Dr. Mauro Valente and Dr. Oelfke who made this possible, were also key”, Figueroa said.

The current aim of the researchers is a partnership with Elekta and at the moment they are waiting for the final report on how the company is going to support this innovation. In case of a positive response, the impact for Latin America would be enormous: Chile would be the first country with an alliance of this nature, and the UFRO would position itself in a field of worldwide interest. “They saw that we are doing serious and impeccable work”, the researcher added.

THE NUMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN GIANT

Elekta is a manufacturer of cancer treatment equipment and software.

Their equipment is installed in more than 6000 hospitals all over the world and their specialty is radiation therapy, radiosurgery and brachytherapy.
They have more than 3600 employees all over the world.

They own about 39% of the radiation therapy market with sales in over 120 countries. About 1.5 million patients receive treatment with Elekta systems each year.

They are leading in Asia and Europe. The sales exceed 1,190 USD and the EBITDA is of 185 (2017/2016).

20% of the work force is dedicated to innovation. The investment in R&D reached 132MM USD.

11% of the net sales were designated to R&D and tendencies of growth because of the lack of equipment in low- and middle-income countries. Only 10% have access to radiation therapy. Most of the 13000 Elekta devices are installed in developed countries.

Out of the total of cancer patients in the world, only 25% are treated with radiation therapy, while the rate suggested in different studies is 50%.

The market in emerging countries is one of the priorities of Elekta and innovation is one of the pillars for the current and future growth. In this field, they have a number of collaboration agreements with cancer treatment centers.