Radiation therapy firm Varian Medical Systems is working with key development agencies in Russia to encourage research institutes and scientists there to collaborate on R&D proposals for programs aimed at advancing radiotherapy technology.
Varian is soliciting research proposals in radiotherapy treatment planning, new technologies in brachytherapy, and new target materials and designs for converting electron beams to megavoltage x-ray beams. The company is also interested in proposals on detecting targets on CT and MR images and new technologies in brachytherapy.
Proposals are being solicited for the next six months, and Varian has contributed of $50,000 (37,289 euros) for the work. The Skolkovo Foundation, a not-for-profit government-funded organization to promote innovation, also is supporting the program. Altogether, $100,000 (74,578 euros) in prize money is being offered to the team or teams with the best proposals.
Varian said it will assess the R&D proposals with the Skolkovo Foundation and the Rusnano Foundation for Infrastructure and Educational Programs.
Currently, more than 30 Varian linear accelerators are installed in cancer clinics in Russia. Varian said it supplies up to 20 new treatment systems each year in the country.
