PALO ALTO, Calif., April 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Varian Medical Systems (NYSE:VAR) announced that it has entered an agreement with UnityPoint Health to be its exclusive supplier of software and devices for image-guided radiotherapy and radiosurgery. The agreement is part of a long-term plan for enhancing and extending radiotherapy and radiosurgery cancer treatment capabilities across the UnityPoint Health system.
Under the agreement, UnityPoint Health expects to acquire four to five Varian TrueBeam' systems over the next three to five years. The agreement also includes a customized service agreement with Varian to complement internal resources at UnityPoint Health as well as a seven-year Enterprise Software Agreement to support a system-wide deployment of Varian's ARIA® data management and Eclipse' treatment planning software.
The total value of the multi-year agreement is estimated at $20 to $25 million. Varian booked a small portion of the order connected with the software and service agreements during the second quarter of fiscal year 2014. The remainder of the order will be booked in accordance with the company's policies over the term of the agreement.
"We are looking forward to the addition of stereotactic radiosurgery capabilities throughout our radiotherapy departments so that a patient who needs this type of treatment can get it anywhere within our system," said Chad Wolbers, chief operating officer at UnityPoint Health - Finley Hospital.
Prior to this agreement, UnityPoint Health radiation oncology departments had already standardized their data management and treatment planning processes through a centralized deployment of ARIA and Eclipse.
"This kind of centralized software implementation facilitates economies of scale and enhances continuity of care," said Wolbers. "You can have a patient's diagnostic images taken in one place; plan the treatments at another site; and then deliver the treatments at a third site closest to the patient's home. All systems can be connected and draw on the same central database."
"UnityPoint Health has a unique and impressive process in place for making decisions about all aspects of its oncology program, including the standardizing of cancer treatment technology," said Steve Schroeder, Varian's vice president of strategic accounts. "Their Oncology Affinity Group, which comprises leadership from each cancer center as well as their corporate team, creates a strategic vision for oncology services that fits with their overall institutional commitment to accountable, coordinated care. This agreement was put in place so that Varian can help them realize that vision."
About Varian Medical Systems
Varian Medical Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California, is the world's leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiotherapy, radiosurgery, and brachytherapy. The company supplies informatics software for managing comprehensive cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers and medical oncology practices. Varian is a premier supplier of tubes, digital detectors, and image processing software and workstations for X-ray imaging in medical, scientific, and industrial applications and also supplies high-energy X-ray devices for cargo screening and non-destructive testing applications. Varian Medical Systems employs approximately 6,500 people who are located at manufacturing sites in North America, Europe, and China and approximately 70 sales and support offices around the world. For more information, visit http://www.varian.com or follow us on Twitter.
About UnityPoint Health
UnityPoint Health is one of the nation's most integrated health systems. Our physician-led team of professionals communicates clearly and effectively to address a patient's health care in the most appropriate setting: whether that is a clinic, a hospital or at home. Through relationships with more than 290 physician clinics, 32 hospitals in metropolitan and rural communities and home care services throughout its 9 regions, UnityPoint Health provides care throughout Iowa, western Illinois and southern Wisconsin. UnityPoint Health entities employ more than 28,000 employees, working toward innovative advancements to deliver the Best Outcome for Every Patient Every Time. Each year, through more than 4.5 million patient visits, UnityPoint Health, UnityPoint Clinic and UnityPoint at Home provide a full range of coordinated care to patients and families. With projected annual revenues of $3.7 billion, UnityPoint Health is the nation's 13th largest nonprofit health system and the fourth largest nondenominational health system in America. UnityPoint Health provides community benefit programs and services to improve the health of people in its communities. For more information, visit www.unitypoint.org.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information, this news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements concerning industry outlook, including growth drivers; the company's future orders, revenues or other financial performance; the ability of the company's technology and products to treat cancer; and any statements using the terms "will," "can," "plan," "project," "estimated," or similar statements are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include the effect of global economic conditions; demand for the company's products; the company's ability to develop, commercialize, and deploy new products; the company's ability to meet legal and regulatory requirements; changes in the legal or regulatory environment; and the other risks listed from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which by this reference are incorporated herein. The company assumes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements in this release because of new information, future events, or otherwise.
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Meryl Ginsberg, 650-424-6444
meryl.ginsberg@varian.com
SOURCE Varian Medical Systems
