Varian Medical Systems Selected by Leading Russian Development Foundations to Take Part in High-Profile Supplier Event

MOSCOW, Nov. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR), the world leader in radiotherapy equipment and software for treating cancer, is reinforcing its commitment to the Russian Federation by actively seeking Russia-based suppliers and local R&D collaborations. At this week's Open Innovations Forum in Moscow, Varian is holding a joint supplier conference with local organizations the Skolkovo and Rusnano Foundations to explain its strategy for the Russian market and seek local partners.

"The Russian government is determined to improve the access of its people to modern, advanced radiotherapy equipment and as the market and technology leader in this field Varian wants to support this initiative," says Kolleen Kennedy, head of Varian's global Oncology Systems business. "We are delighted to have been selected by the Skolkovo and Rusnano foundations to work with them on this first such event to support the country's program of greater healthcare access, industrial modernization, R&D, and in-country investment.  We want to work together and be present to leverage Russia's technological strengths into a global network of supply and development."

The Skolkovo Foundation is a not-for-profit, government-funded organization that was launched in 2010 as part of the Kremlin's efforts to transform Russia into a modern, post-industrial economy by creating an innovative ecosystem that is intended as Russia's answer to Silicon Valley. Among the most prestigious planned projects is the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, a major university campus that Switzerland's Herzog & de Meuron is designing in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

"This project is a unique one for us and for Russian business practices," said Denis Kovalevich, executive director of the Skolkovo Foundation's Nuclear Technology Cluster. "Together with Varian Medical Systems and our Russian partners, we are trying to implement a new model of localization for our country. While we don't consider an assembly of a final product in Russia as a major goal of the project, we hope that Russian manufacturers of components, engineering and research centers will become a part of Varian's global supply chain. As a result, Russian companies would expand supplies of equipment and R&D services not only within Russia, but globally. For all of us it should be a win-win strategy on the basis of Varian's high quality standards and the extreme competence of Russian companies and staff."

The Rusnano Foundation for Infrastructure and Educational Programs (FIEP) develops and supports Russia's integration with global leaders. The foundation intends to help potential local suppliers to establish the necessary production and technical infrastructure and implement international quality standards that meet the requirements of Varian Medical Systems. "Well-developed infrastructure is an essential base for interaction of a major world player with local suppliers. Their products often require additional finishing work using expensive equipment to meet international standards. Nanotechnology centers created with the help of the Fund is an ideal place to perform these operations," said FIEP deputy CEO Ruslan Titov.

Supplier Conference

A series of conferences, of which this is the first, are being organized jointly by the Skolkovo and Rusnano Foundations to enable radiation oncology suppliers to outline their local strategy and stage practical events focused on the development of partnerships with Russian companies. Varian is delivering a presentation about its structure and products and meeting with the heads of Russian companies to identify potential suppliers of components and materials for both medical and industrial systems manufactured by the company.

Varian in Russian Federation

More than 50 Varian medical linear accelerators are installed in Russian cancer clinics and the company currently supplies approximately 20 new treatment systems each year to radiotherapy departments in the country.  The company operates an office in Moscow employing 24 people and Varian intends to expand geographical coverage across the Russian Federation in the near future.  

"We want to build on our great track record in this vast country and demonstrate our commitment to enabling more cancer patients in Russia to gain access to the most modern cancer treatments available," says Sergey Popov, Varian's country director. "Working more closely with local suppliers and establishing local R&D collaborations are the next logical steps in helping to achieve this. We are extremely excited about being selected by the prestigious Skolkovo and Rusnano Foundations to take part in this first such radiotherapy supplier conference."

Editorial contact: Neil Madle, Varian Medical Systems, +44 7786 526068

About Varian Medical Systems

Varian Medical Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California, is the world's leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiotherapy, radiosurgery, and brachytherapy. The company supplies informatics software for managing comprehensive cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers and medical oncology practices. Varian is a premier supplier of tubes, digital detectors, and image processing workstations for X-ray imaging in medical, scientific, and industrial applications and also supplies high-energy X-ray devices for cargo screening and non-destructive testing applications.  Varian Medical Systems employs approximately 6,100 people who are located at manufacturing sites in North America, Europe, and China and approximately 70 sales and support offices around the world. For more information, visit http://www.varian.com or follow us on https://twitter.com/VarianMedSys

SOURCE Varian Medical Systems

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