Belgium-based Ion Beam Applications S.A. (IBA) and Japanese major Toshiba Corporation have signed a global collaboration agreement to expand access to advanced particle therapy worldwide.

Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation will become the distributor in Japan for ProteusONE, IBA's compact single-room proton therapy solution, and IBA will become the agent for Toshiba's Carbon Therapy Solutions outside Japan.

IBA and Toshiba will collaborate on activities such as customer education for ProteusONE and Toshiba's carbon therapy solutions. The collaboration will also enable both organizations to mutually leverage their Operation and Maintenance (O&M) services.

Proton Therapy is considered to be an advanced and targeted cancer radiotherapy treatment due to its superior dose distribution and fewer side effects. Protons deposit the majority of their effective energy within a precisely controlled range, directly within the tumor, sparing healthy surrounding tissue. Higher doses can be delivered to the tumor without increasing the risk of side effects and long-term complications, thereby improving patient outcomes and quality of life. Carbon ions not only have similar physical characteristics as protons, they have also a higher radiobiological effect compared to photon and proton, which could lead to shorter treatment courses and improved patient outcomes.