Focused Ultrasound Foundation Establishes Pioneering Research Initiative in London Under International Center of Excellence Program

London (ots/PRNewswire) -

Focused Ultrasound Foundation, Royal Philips, The Institute of
Cancer Research, and The Royal Marsden collaborate in center to
accelerate progress and establish global standards for focused
ultrasound treatment ? enhancing patient care around the world

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130905/638204 )

The Focused Ultrasound Foundation [http://www.fusfoundation.org ]
and Royal Philips [http://www.philips.com ] have entered into an
innovative public-private collaboration with The Institute of Cancer
Research [http://www.icr.ac.uk ], London, and The Royal Marsden NHS
Foundation Trust. The partnership will create a focal point for
ultrasound therapy research at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR)
and The Royal Marsden [http://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk ] in London
under the international Focused Ultrasound Foundation Centers of
Excellence
[http://www.fusfoundation.org/for-researchers/centers-of-excellence ]
Program.

The new initiative will create a state-of-the-art resource for
clinicians and scientists working on high intensity focused
ultrasound [http://www.fusfoundation.org/focused-ultrasound-technolo
gy/technology-overview ] therapy, developing clinical evidence in
oncology and establishing best practices, treatment standards and
protocols. Focused ultrasound concentrates ultrasound energy with
high precision on target tissue in the body to thermally destroy
tissue. The technology is coupled with image guidance to identify,
target and track the treatment in real time. The initiative will
launch this autumn with a clinical trial to evaluate treatment of
bone metastases in cancer patients. A similar center was established
at the University of Virginia in 2009 to advance the use of focused
ultrasound, with an emphasis on brain disorders.

"High intensity focused ultrasound therapy has tremendous
potential in oncology and many other key clinical areas," noted Gail
ter Haar, DSc., coordinator of the initiative. "To achieve this, we
need to collaborate in new ways, establish standards for consistent
delivery of treatment and train those who will deliver that care. All
of that will be happening here, thanks to the Focused Ultrasound
Foundation. We are excited and honored to be a part of the network
whose aim is to improve treatment outcomes for patients around the
world."

The Focused Ultrasound Foundation is the catalyst for the
collaboration and its leadership will actively engage with the ICR,
The Royal Marsden and Philips to help guide progress towards
standard-setting translational and clinical research, training and
treatment. In establishing the Focused Ultrasound Centers of
Excellence Program, the Foundation brings together the best people
and resources at luminary research sites throughout the world in the
dynamic multi-disciplinary environment necessary to foster those
activities critical to accelerating progress towards better patient
outcomes.

"The new initiative established at the ICR and The Royal Marsden
under the Focused Ultrasound Foundation Centers of Excellence Program
is an important step forward for the technology," noted Neal F.
Kassell, M.D., founder and chairman of the Focused Ultrasound
Foundation. "Our Centers of Excellence not only demonstrate
exceptional technical and clinical expertise in the field of focused
ultrasound, but also contribute to a synergistic network, leveraging
expertise and sharing best practices."

"Our contribution to the center will help to bring focused
ultrasound technology to a higher level of maturity and shape the
standard of care for patients around the world," said Falko Busse,
General Manager MR-Therapy [http://www.healthcare.philips.com/main/p
roducts/mri/systems/sonalleve/index.wpd ] at Philips Healthcare. "The
ICR and The Royal Marsden are a perfect choice, being established
global leaders in cancer research with an impressive track record of
bringing new technologies and approaches to cancer care along with
rigorous evidence-based standards. Prof. Ter Haar and her group are
pioneers in focused ultrasound therapy and are particularly strong in
the standardization necessary for widespread adoption."

The center will be led by Prof. Gail ter Haar and Prof. Nandita
deSouza. Prof. Ter Haar heads the ICR's Therapy Ultrasound Team. She
is a leading physicist in the field, having researched the basic
science behind the technique, participating in early clinical trials
and advancing device development. Prof. deSouza is the new
initiative's clinical director. She is the lead academic radiologist
at the ICR and The Royal Marsden, with an international reputation in
MRI, and has run pilot clinical trials of MR-guided thermal
therapies.

About the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR)

The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is one of the world's
most influential cancer research institutes. Scientists and
clinicians at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) are working
every day to make a real impact on cancer patients' lives. Through
its unique partnership with The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
and 'bench-to-bedside' approach, the ICR is able to create and
deliver results in a way that other institutions cannot. Together the
two organisations are rated in the top four cancer centres globally.
The ICR's mission is to make the discoveries that defeat cancer.

For more information, visit http://www.icr.ac.uk.

About the Royal Marsden

The Royal Marsden opened its doors in 1851 as the world's first
hospital dedicated to cancer diagnosis, treatment, research and
education. Today, together with its academic partner, The Institute
of Cancer Research (ICR), it is the largest and most comprehensive
cancer centre in Europe treating over 50,000 NHS and private patients
every year. It is a centre of excellence with an international
reputation for groundbreaking research and pioneering the very latest
in cancer treatments and technologies. Since 2004, the hospital's
charity, The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, has helped raise over
GBP100 million to build theatres, diagnostic centres, and drug
development units. Prince William became President of The Royal
Marsden in 2007, following a long royal connection with the hospital.
For more information, visit http://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk.

About the Focused Ultrasound Foundation

The Focused Ultrasound Foundation was created to improve the lives
of millions of people worldwide by accelerating the development and
adoption of focused ultrasound therapies. The Foundation works to
clear the path to global adoption by coordinating and funding
research and educational activities, creating partnerships and
fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and building awareness of
the technology among patients and professionals. The Foundation is
dedicated to ensuring that focused ultrasound finds its place as a
mainstream therapy for a range of neurological disorders, including
Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and stroke as well as uterine fibroids,
cancer and other life-threatening conditions within years, not
decades. Since its establishment in 2006, the Foundation has become
the largest non-governmental source of funding for focused ultrasound
research. More information about the Charlottesville, Virginia based
Foundation can be found at http://www.fusfoundation.org.

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips is a diversified health and well-being company,
focused on improving people's lives through meaningful innovation in
the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting.
Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2012 sales of EUR
24.8 billion and employs approximately 115,000 employees with sales
and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in
cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient
lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male
shaving and grooming and oral healthcare. News from Philips is
located at http://www.philips.com/newscenter.

More information about Philips' activities in MR-therapy and the
Sonalleve MR-HIFU system can be found at:
http://www.philips.com/sonalleve.

Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130905/638204

ots Originaltext: Royal Philips
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
For further information, please contact: Rachel Bloom-Baglin,
Philips Healthcare, Tel: +1-978-7609007, E-mail:
rachel.bloom-baglin@philips.com; Steve Klink
Philips Corporate Communications, Tel.: +31-6-10888824
E-mail: steve.klink@philips.com; Dr. Claire Bithell
The Institute of Cancer Research, Tel: +44(0)207-153-5359
Email: Claire.Bithell@icr.ac.uk; Susan Klees
Focused Ultrasound Foundation, Tel: +1-434-326-9833
Email: sklees@fusfoundation.org