IMAGE: An example of an operational MR LinAc which will be installed at GenesisCare in Oxford view more
UK, 7 February 2019: Today GenesisCare and the University of Oxford’s Department of Oncology announce the launch of an exclusive 10-year partnership to enhance access to the latest technology in medicine to improve diagnosis, management, and treatment of cancer. A first priority of the partnership will be the installation and use of a Magnetic Resonance Linear Accelerator (MR LinAc) at GenesisCare’s centre in Oxford, along with research into new clinical planning techniques.
The MR LinAc will be used both for research and the treatment of patients in the Oxford area, locating and measuring cancer in real-time and adjusting radiation delivery to changing tumours with unrivalled accuracy. This technology has the potential to drastically change the patient treatment experience and the way in which treatment planning and delivery is conducted.
The partnership brings together a world-renowned research university, a leading network of cancer researchers and the largest private provider of comprehensive cancer care services in the UK, Spain, and Australia. Over the next 10 years the partnership will combine research into a new field of nuclear medicine called theranostics; trials combining radiotherapy and new drugs, and state of the art diagnostics.
Professor Mark Middleton, Head of the Department of Oncology at the University of Oxford said: “This partnership offers something unique. The organisations involved are heavily committed to driving innovation together to advance cancer care and tangibly improve a patient’s treatment experience. The technology available through the MR LinAc allows for a shift in current radiotherapy treatments, promising to go beyond conventional anatomically-based planning. This partnership would not have been possible without a philanthropic donation, from the John Black Charitable Foundation. We are extremely grateful for this gift. This is an exciting time, as we use world leading research within GenesisCare’s network to drive a step change in treatment.”
One of the aims of the collaboration is to securely gather extensive data that can inform and improve cancer care. The MR LinAc and wider partnership activities will drive UK cancer research forward and widen the applications and quality of radiotherapy.
Aldo Rolfo, Executive Manager, GenesisCare Europe, said: “Delivering better outcomes and access for patients is how we started and will always be our goal. By bringing the world’s most innovative technologies to the UK we can advance current cancer management and research and demonstrate the true untapped value of MR LinAc and applications of radiotherapy. Both organisations aim to push the boundaries of current knowledge and improve the world we live in – it is a natural fit and we’re very proud of the benefits we will be delivering to patients and the UK health system.”
Clinical trials will play a key role in delivering the partnership’s outcomes. The trials will be created specifically to explore the potential of cutting-edge technology, with the aim of making these available at other centres across the UK.
The installation of the MR LinAc at the GenesisCare Oxford centre is scheduled to take place mid-2019 and the first patient is expected to receive treatment within the year.
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Notes to Editors
About GenesisCare Oxford and GenesisCare UK
GenesisCare Oxford is located to the south-east of Oxford city centre near Sandford; Sandy Lane, West Peters Way, Littlemore, Oxford OX4 6LB. The centre provides tailored care and oncology treatments, including the latest techniques in radiotherapy and chemotherapy, diagnostics, and clinical trials. GenesisCare Oxford is leading the way in specialised treatments including SpaceOAR for prostate patients. Holistic wellbeing services are also provided to further support the treatment experience.
Co-owned by prominent specialist medical consultants, GenesisCare works in partnership to make it easier for people to access high-quality cancer treatment locally delivered by leading healthcare professionals.
GenesisCare’s purpose is to design care experiences that get the best possible life outcomes for patients. Founded by doctors, with 128 centres around the world, GenesisCare is a leader in cancer and heart care.
About the University of Oxford’s Department of Oncology
The Department of Oncology, within the Medical Sciences Division, was created in October 2010 bringing together key patient-facing research activities at the University of Oxford.
The Department of Oncology has over 400 staff, more than 120 graduate students, and is one of the largest departments in the Medical Sciences Division. Its mission is to improve cancer care by bringing Oxford’s world leading science to the clinic.
For further information please visit: //www.
About the University of Oxford
Oxford University has been placed number one in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for the third year running, and at the heart of this success is ground-breaking research and innovation.
Oxford is world-famous for research excellence and home to some of the most talented people from across the globe. Their work helps the lives of millions, solving real-world problems through a huge network of partnerships and collaborations. The breadth and interdisciplinary nature of their research sparks imaginative and inventive insights and solutions.
Through its research commercialisation arm, Oxford University Innovation, Oxford is the highest university patent filer in the UK and is ranked first in the UK for university spinouts, having created more than 170 new companies since 1988. Over a third of these companies have been created in the past three years.
For further information please visit: //www.
For further information please contact:
Matthew Wix
UK Marketing Director, GenesisCare UK
Email: matthew.wix@genesiscare.co.uk
Tel: 07920545219
Cello Health Communications
Email: CommsCA-GenesisCare@ch-corporateAffairs.co.uk
Tel: 02034346977
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