Apollo Hospitals, India's leading healthcare provider, has announced a landmark partnership with Ion Beam Applications (IBA), the global leader in Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) solutions. Together, they will introduce the cutting-edge Proteus One system in India, further advancing the nation's cancer treatment capabilities.
The collaboration was formally announced at a ceremony attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium, Representative of His Majesty King Philippe, alongside Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd (AHEL), and Mr. Olivier Legrain, Chief Executive Officer of IBA.
This partnership marks a significant milestone in India's efforts to enhance cancer care. Apollo Hospitals first brought Proton Therapy to India in 2019 at the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre in Chennai, becoming the first and only Proton Therapy facility in South Asia and the Middle East. Since then, over 2,000 patients from 147 countries have benefited from the therapy, which is especially effective for treating complex cancers, including those of the Central Nervous System, head and neck, paediatrics, urology, and others.
According to studies, the global cancer burden is expected to rise to 21.4 million new cases by 2030. India ranks third in terms of new cancer incidences, contributing to 7.5% of global cases. The number of new cases is projected to reach 1.5 million in India this year.
Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Founder-Chairman of Apollo Hospitals, expressed his pride in the hospital's pioneering role, saying, “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.”
The introduction of the Proteus One system, featuring the DynamicARC® beam delivery technology, is expected to revolutionise cancer treatment by providing more precise, personalised, and effective therapies. This addition strengthens Apollo's leadership in Proton Therapy across South Asia and the Middle East.
Mr. Olivier Legrain, CEO of IBA, spoke about the trust between the two organisations, saying, “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 of AHEL, emphasised the importance of the collaboration, stating, “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 personalized, 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 partnership will also include knowledge-sharing initiatives and training programmes for oncologists, further accelerating the adoption of advanced treatment techniques across the region. Apollo Hospitals remains committed to advancing global healthcare by ensuring that the most cutting-edge treatments are accessible to patients worldwide.
