Accuray Signs Distribution and Co-Marketing Agreement with Siemens

April 11, 2007 at 4:35 PM EDT
Agreement Enables Integration of Diagnostic CT Imaging and Robotic Radiosurgery Technology in the Treatment Room
SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 11, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Accuray Incorporated (Nasdaq: ARAY), a global leader in the field of radiosurgery, today announced that it has signed a co-marketing and distribution agreement with Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. The agreement enables Accuray to integrate its CyberKnife(R) Robotic Radiosurgery System and RoboCouch(TM) Patient Positioning System with a Siemens SOMATOM(R) computed tomography (CT) scanner with a sliding gantry configuration. The combination of these technologies in the treatment room further enhances visibility of internal structures at the time of treatment.

Unlike other in-room imaging solutions, the Siemens SOMATOM 3D and 4D system is designed to ensure clinicians have access to the highest diagnostic quality images and 4D image data during patient setup. Other radiation therapy systems have begun to offer slower, lower quality imaging techniques such as cone beam imaging to verify patient position. In contrast, the CyberKnife System with Siemens CT sliding gantry solution enables faster, higher resolution imaging setup. This, combined with the CyberKnife System's ability to continually track, detect and correct for tumor and patient movement, enables the CyberKnife System to deliver enhanced treatment quality and throughput.

The clinical benefits of the in-room diagnostic CT system are realized mainly in the treatment of tumors that move with respiration, such as lung, liver and pancreas, as well as prostate tumors, which are impacted by bowel and bladder function. Unlike cone beam CT, diagnostic CT provides higher resolution imaging and allows for differentiation of soft tissue structures. In the treatment of prostate tumors, this enhanced ability allows for visualization of physiological changes like rectal or bladder filling, to ensure the organs haven't moved into the treatment field since the preliminary planning CT. Additionally, for tumors that move with respiration, the addition of in-room 4D CT helps to account for tumor motion and deformation between the planning CT and the CT on the day of treatment.

"This agreement with Siemens further validates Accuray's commitment to providing innovative solutions that meet clinicians' needs," said Euan S. Thomson, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Accuray. "By combining the best systems in in-room imaging and robotic radiosurgery, we are able to offer clinicians a more efficient means for positioning patients and ensuring extreme accuracy in targeting their tumors."

About the CyberKnife(R) Robotic Radiosurgery System

The CyberKnife System represents the next generation of radiosurgery systems, combining continuous image-guidance technology with a compact linear accelerator that has the flexibility to move in three dimensions according to the treatment plan. This combination, which is referred to as intelligent robotics, extends the benefits of radiosurgery to the treatment of tumors anywhere in the body. The CyberKnife System autonomously tracks, detects and corrects for tumor and patient movement in real-time during the procedure, enabling delivery of precise, high dose radiation typically with sub- millimeter accuracy.

About Accuray

Accuray Incorporated (Nasdaq: ARAY), based in Sunnyvale, Calif., is a global leader in the field of radiosurgery. Its CyberKnife System is the world's first and only commercially available intelligent robotic radiosurgery system designed to treat tumors anywhere in the body, typically with sub- millimeter accuracy. To date, it is estimated that the CyberKnife System has treated more than 20,000 patients worldwide. For more information, please visit www.accuray.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

The foregoing may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including uncertainties associated with the medical device industry. Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, clinical studies, regulatory review and approval, and commercialization of products are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made and are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual performance and results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make include: market acceptance of products; competing products, the combination of our products with complementary technology; and other risks detailed from time to time under the heading "Risk Factors" in our most recent form 10-Q filed on March 15, 2007 and may be updated from time to time by our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company's actual results of operations may differ significantly from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements as a result of these and other factors. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual performance or results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws.

NOTE: Accuray, the Accuray logo, CyberKnife, Synchrony, Xsight and RoboCouch are among trademarks or registered trademarks of Accuray Incorporated.

SOURCE Accuray Incorporated

Susan Lehman of Rockpoint Public Relations, +1-510-832-6006, or susan@rockpointpr.com, for Accuray; or Stephanie Tomei, Accuray Public Relations Manager, +1-408-789-4234, or stomei@accuray.com

http://www.accuray.com/