Hitachi acquires stake in AccSys

In a bid to expand its market share in the radiotherapy market, Hitachi has acquired 80% of AccSys Technology, a developer of ion linear accelerator (linac) technology. The acquisition allows Hitachi to increase its presence in the emerging market for proton-beam therapy, a localized form of radiation therapy in which a proton beam is directed at a tumor deep in the body. Proton beams appear to cause fewer side effects compared with conventional electron-beam and x-ray therapy. Hitachi developed its own proton-beam therapy system, called Probeat, which includes a linac injector supplied by AccSys.