Health Technology Assessment Validates Extracranial Radiosurgery Treatments Particularly Those Delivered With CyberKnife(R)
French Health Authority Finds Clinical Benefits for Curative and Palliative Care
SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Accuray Incorporated (Nasdaq: ARAY), a global leader in the field of radiosurgery, announced today that the French High Authority of Health -- Haute Autorite de Sante (HAS) -- issued a health technology assessment report validating extracranial radiosurgery treatment applications, particularly those delivered with the CyberKnife(R) Robotic Radiosurgery System. The report deemed clinical benefits with these extracranial applications a significant improvement compared to existing alternatives (2 on a scale of 5, with 1 being the most significant).
Health technology assessment (HTA) is used to evaluate the impact of medical technology on patients and healthcare organizations by measuring safety, efficacy, cost effectiveness and efficiency. The HTA program works to provide decision makers with high-quality information and is frequently used to make important decisions regarding reimbursement. It is also used in many countries to guide purchasing decisions.
HTA is an extremely strict process and sets a high standard for best practices in healthcare, in order to enhance safety, improve quality and reduce costs. HTA is now related to virtually every health policy process in France, and its role is becoming increasingly important within healthcare systems worldwide.
In recent years greater importance has been placed on HTA programs throughout the world in an effort to address rising healthcare costs and policy-makers desire for access to better decision-making processes. The report by the HAS was undertaken to define validated indications before patients start treatment using three CyberKnife Systems acquired thanks to a support by the French National Institute of Cancer (INCa).
"The positive HTA for extracranial radiosurgery applications as part of the evaluation process of the CyberKnife System marks a milestone in the growing worldwide clinical acceptance of this groundbreaking technology" said Euan S. Thomson, Ph.D., president and CEO of Accuray. "Validation by such an important, non-partisan authority is further demonstration that the market for radiosurgery is continuing to broaden and that the CyberKnife System is meeting the needs of patients and clinicians worldwide."
The HTA evaluation included analysis of 42 studies on the use of radiosurgery for extracranial indications and concluded that there is sufficient expected clinical benefit for the curative or palliative treatment of patients with spine tumors, and primary and metastatic lung tumors.
About the CyberKnife(R) Robotic Radiosurgery System
The CyberKnife System represents the next generation of radiosurgery systems, combining continual 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 30,000 patients worldwide. For more information, please visit http://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 including statements related to reimbursement and coverage for procedures performed with the CyberKnife System, 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: availability of reimbursement and coverage for CyberKnife procedures within health care payment systems, 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 May 14, 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.
SOURCE Accuray Incorporated
05/31/2007
CONTACT: Susan Lehman of Rockpoint Public Relations, +1-510-832-6006,
susan@rockpointpr.com, for Accuray Incorporated; or Stephanie Tomei, Accuray
Public Relations Manager, +1-408-789-4234, stomei@accuray.com
Web site: http://www.accuray.com