Zacks_Analysts' Blog : Varian's TrueBeam at ChinaMed - Analyst Blog

Leading integrated radiotherapy systems maker Varian Medical Systems (VAR) will be exhibiting its TrueBeam therapy system at the International Medical Instruments and Equipment Exhibition in China (“ChinaMed”), slated to be held in Beijing from March 25-27, 2011. ChinaMed is a major medical instruments and equipment trade show in China.

It will mark the California-based company’s first demonstration of the TrueBeam system in China. Varian plans to officially unveil TrueBeam in China at a new technology seminar on March 25. 

Introduced in April 2010, the TrueBeam platform is used in image-guided radiotherapy and radiosurgery to treat multiple cancer types. It includes the TrueBeam STx system, which is geared for sophisticated radiosurgery that can treat a moving target with considerable accuracy and speed.

TrueBeam enables fast and precise image-guided treatments, allowing patients with various cancer types to benefit from the therapy. It has the capability to provide treatment 50% faster, along with a dose delivery rate that can reach 2,400 monitor units per minute, which is twice the maximum output of conventional systems for radiosurgery or radiotherapy. The enhanced ability ensures that patients experience greater comfort due to shorter treatment periods and superior precision.   

TrueBeam contributed to Varian’s Oncology Systems segment order growth in first-quarter fiscal 2011 accounting for roughly 30% of global orders. The company has so far received orders for more than 170 TrueBeam systems since the product’s inception.

In addition to TrueBeam, Varian will also feature its X-ray products at ChinaMed. This includes the X-ray tubes and flat panel image detectors designed to offer the customers good value by combining enhanced image quality, higher patient throughput and greater cost-efficiency.

Varian is the world’s leading manufacturer of integrated radiotherapy systems for treating cancer and a premier supplier of X-ray tubes for diagnostic imaging applications. In the radiation oncology market, the company competes head-to-head with Accuray Incorporated (ARAY) and TomoTherapy (TOMO).

Varian is poised to increase its market share in the radiation oncology market. The company is currently enjoying a healthy demand for its coveted RapidArc radiotherapy technology. However, uncertainties stemming from healthcare reform and a still weak hospital capital spending environment provide headwinds. We currently have a Neutral recommendation on Varian.