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 accuray.
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.
Accuray Incorporated
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