PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia -- (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Toshiba Corporation and 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a strategic development company wholly owned by the government of Malaysia, today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) under which they will explore the introduction of Toshiba’s carbon ion radiotherapy system to Malaysia.
The signing ceremony was held today in the presence Mr. Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan and Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
The MoU covers two phases: an initial evaluation of the feasibility of the overall project followed by a study of the design concept. The MoU was signed within the framework of medical infrastructure package export strategy that the Japanese government is promoting in a public-private partnership.
“Carbon ion radiotherapy is a powerful tool in the battle against cancer, and we look forward to the opportunity to introduce our state-of-the-art system technologies to Malaysia,” said Yasuharu Igarashi, Corporate Executive Vice President of Toshiba.
“We will work closely with 1MDB on this project and look forward to reaching conclusion that will bring the benefits of advanced medical treatment to the people of Malaysia.”
1MDB aims to help create a sustainable Malaysian economy by investing in high impact projects in four core sectors: real estate, energy, tourism and agriculture. It is the master developer of financial and economic centre Tun Razak Exchange and is the second largest independent power producer in Malaysia.
“This project dovetails with our mandate to bring new sources of growth to the country,” said Mohd Hazem Abd Rahman, Managing Director and CEO of 1MDB. “It offers us the potential to expand into another of our key target sectors via medical tourism, while breaking new ground in treatment of cancer for the Malaysian public.”
Malaysia’s economic growth and development continues to progress, with per-capita nominal GDP passing the US$10,000 mark in 2012. This has spurred increasing interest in high-tech medical services, both in the domestic sector and to promote a continued increase in medical tourism, which is expected to become a US$200 million market in Malaysia this year.
There are currently only six(*) carbon ion radiotherapy centers in operation in the world – three in Japan and one each in China, Germany and Italy. Five(*) new centers are under construction – two in Japan and China respectively and one in Austria.
Toshiba is a recognized leader in carbon ion radiotherapy. In Japan, the company has installed a cutting-edge system in the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS), which takes the lead in developing and promoting carbon ion radiotherapy in Japan, and has also received an order from Kanagawa Cancer Center in Yokohama, which it is now fulfilling.
Carbon ion radiotherapy accelerates carbon ions to 70% the speed of light speed and directs them to cancerous cells. It is efficient at destroying cancers, which means patients have to endure fewer exposures. Another advantage of carbon ion radiotherapy is that the depth of the energy peak can be controlled, preventing exposure of healthy cells around the target site.
Toshiba and 1MDB signed a comprehensive MoU to investigate areas of possible collaboration in social infrastructure in October 2012. The carbon ion radiotherapy project is one of the fruit of this understanding. The two companies will continue to investigate potential areas of cooperation that will contribute to Malaysia’s economic development.
(*) Source: Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group (PTCOG)
About Toshiba
Toshiba is a world-leading diversified manufacturer, solutions provider and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products and systems. Toshiba Group brings innovation and imagination to a wide range of businesses: digital products, including LCD TVs, notebook PCs, retail solutions and MFPs; electronic devices, including semiconductors, storage products and materials; industrial and social infrastructure systems, including power generation systems, smart community solutions, medical systems and escalators & elevators; and home appliances.
Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 590 consolidated companies, with 206,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 5.8 trillion yen (US$61 billion). Visit Toshiba's web site at www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm
About 1MDB
1MDB is a strategic development company leading market-driven initiatives to help transform Malaysia into a thriving economy – one that is highly competitive, inclusive and sustainable. Wholly-owned by the Government of Malaysia, 1MDB creates high-impact business opportunities to forge international partnerships through equal-capital joint ventures in game-changing projects. For more information about 1MDB, please visit www.1mdb.com.my.
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or
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