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CARDIFF, Wales, April 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Proton Partners International Limited, which is planning to build three Proton Beam Therapy cancer treatment centres in the UK, has announced the appointment of global partners to provide state of the art clinical equipment and innovative technology solutions to the company.

Proton Partners International Ltd is to open treatment centres in Cardiff, London and Northumbria by 2017 and the first - Cardiff - will be operational next year. The establishment of the centres will mark a significant breakthrough in the provision of cancer treatment in the UK. The lack of access to the latest treatment options in radiotherapy in the UK has been highlighted in a flood of patient dramas in the press. Proton therapy hit the headlines when the delay in provision of machines in the NHS led to many patients, acknowledged to need Proton therapy, being transported to the USA and elsewhere for treatment, which unsurprisingly is much more costly than could be available in the UK.

IBA (Ion Beam Applications), the world's leading provider of proton therapy solutions for the treatment of cancer, has been selected by Proton Partners to install its single-room proton therapy system, Proteus®ONE, in each of the three UK centres.

Philips has been appointed to deliver software and technology tools including Philips' Pinnacle Treatment Planning which delivers an intuitive planning environment that simplifies workflow. Philips will also provide big bore CT scanners at each centre and a PET CT in the Cardiff centre.

Before appointing its suppliers, Proton Partners International conducted an exhaustive selection process across two continents, including visiting the Willis Knighton Hospital in Shreeveport, Louisianna to see an IBA treatment room in operation. Final selection was made on technical and commercial merit.

Professor Gordon McVie, Senior Consultant at the European Institute of Oncology and chairman of Proton Partners International, said: "These appointments are a significant milestone along the pathway to establishing the first proton beam therapy centres in the UK and reflect the quality and strength of our commitment to improve cancer treatment."

Mike Moran, managing director of Proton Partners International Limited, commented: "We are very pleased to announce that we will be working with world class providers who will equip our centres to the highest specifications. We are excited about the opportunity to work with our partners in the NHS, universities and the Life Sciences community to help support the research effort in the wider use of proton beam therapy."

Notes to editors: 

About Proton Partners International Limited 

Proton Partners International is a private limited company, registered in Wales. The company was formed following discussions between Professor Karol Sikora, former head of the World Health Organisation's cancer programme, Professor Sir Chris Evans, the leading life sciences entrepreneur, and Neil Woodford, founding partner of Woodford Investment Management. Institutional and private investors have committed to almost £100m equity finance in the company.

Professor Gordon McVie, Senior Consultant at the European Institute of Oncology, has been appointed chairman and Professor Karol Sikora is chief medical adviser to the company, alongside a range of renowned cancer and healthcare experts.

Further information: Ramsay Smith, Media House. +44(0)207-710-0020/+44(0)7788414856, e:ramsay@mediahouse.co.uk