Elekta (EKTA-B.ST) announces that All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) will acquire seven Versa HD linear accelerators and six microSelectron brachytherapy systems. The investment supports AIIMS's current phase of sustained expansion, which represents India's largest public investment in health sector.

The agreement also includes Elekta's Monaco treatment planning system and MOSAIQ radiation oncology information system, as well as service for both hardware and software.

Charles Schanen, Senior Vice President, Region Asia Pacific says, "We are very happy to support AIIMS as it introduces sophisticated cancer treatment technology to treat this widespread disease."

"Versa HD, the most advanced linear accelerator, will be an excellent asset as it is capable of delivering stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and radiosurgery (SRS). Cervical cancer is ranked as the most frequent type for women in India. Brachytherapy (internal radiotherapy) is one of the most common methods used to treat cancer of the cervix and our microSelectron remote afterloading platform should benefit thousands of Indian women suffering from this cancer."

Every year approximately 4,000 new patients consult AIIMS to receive various radiotherapy treatments. Elekta's agreement with AIIMS covers seven sites across India.

Manikandan Bala, Managing Director for Elekta in India says, "According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, India has more than one million new cancer cases every year. However, the country is making great progress in developing its cancer care and we are honored that AIIMS has chosen Elekta to contribute to this. This agreement demonstrates Elekta's commitment to making radiation therapy available where it is needed most."

The order was booked in the second quarter of Elekta's fiscal year and the first shipments will begin in March 2017.