Apollo Hospitals partners with IBA to introduce Proteus One proton therapy in India

Apollo Hospitals has signed a partnership with Ion Beam Applications (IBA) to introduce the Proteus One proton therapy system in India. The agreement was formalised by Dr Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise (AHEL), and Olivier Legrain, Chief Executive Officer, IBA, in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium, Representative of His Majesty King Philippe.

Apollo Hospitals introduced proton therapy to India in 2019 at the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre in Chennai, making it the first and only proton therapy facility in South Asia and the Middle East. Since its inception, the centre has treated over 2,000 patients from 147 countries. Proton therapy is used for tumours of the central nervous system, head and neck cancers, paediatric cases, and complex malignancies.

Dr Prathap C Reddy, Founder-Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise, stated, “At Apollo, we are driven by an unyielding passion for excellence in healthcare. Our commitment is to ensure that India remains at the forefront of medical innovation, providing patients with access to the world’s most advanced treatments. The addition of Proteus One to our Apollo Proton Cancer Centres further solidifies our position as a global leader in proton therapy. This next-generation technology will allow us to achieve superior clinical outcomes and significantly improve the quality of life for cancer patients in India and beyond.”

As per a study published in The Lancet Regional Health, India ranks third in global cancer incidence, contributing 7.5 per cent of all new cases. The total number of cases in the country is expected to reach 1.5 million this year. The introduction of the Proteus One system is expected to enhance cancer treatment capabilities in India, particularly with the inclusion of DynamicARC beam delivery technology, subject to statutory approvals.

Olivier Legrain, Chief Executive Officer of IBA, said, “These contracts expand upon the close relationship we have built for more than a decade with Apollo Hospitals. Seeing an existing customer reaffirming its confidence in our solutions not only demonstrates the reliability and superiority of the IBA portfolio but also highlights the level of excellence of the services we deliver. We look forward to further strengthening our relationship with Apollo as we enable more patients in India to gain access to this life-saving treatment modality.”

Dr Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd, said, “Cancer care is evolving rapidly, and at Apollo, we remain steadfast in our mission to stay ahead of this evolution. The introduction of the Proteus One system is a significant leap towards personalised, precise, and highly effective treatment for cancer patients. Our partnership with IBA reflects our dedication to bringing new hope and healing to patients and families fighting cancer.”

The collaboration will also facilitate knowledge-sharing and training for oncologists to advance the adoption of proton therapy across the region. Apollo Hospitals continues to expand its expertise in treating complex cancer cases and remains a leader in proton therapy in South Asia and the Middle East.