Elekta: Radiotherapy Giant

Elekta is a leading global medical technology company focused on addressing cancer. Based in Sweden, the company develops and provides a comprehensive range of equipment and software solutions for radiation therapy and radiosurgery.

Their offerings include linear accelerators for external beam radiation therapy. They also offer brachytherapy devices, which deliver radiation internally, and various neurosurgery products like the Gamma Knife for non-invasive brain surgery.

They operate globally with offices in over 40 countries and maintain a significant presence across North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific, actively working to expand access to cancer care in underserved regions.

What Is The Origin Story Of Elekta?

The saga of Elekta began not just with a brilliant idea, but with a deep-seated vision for healing that echoed through generations. Its very genesis in 1972 was rooted in Professor Lars Leksell’s revolutionary Gamma Knife, a testament to his dream of non-invasive surgery. This pioneering spirit blossomed from the first  operations in 1967, a pivotal moment young Dr. Dan Leksell, then just seventeen, witnessed firsthand – a seed planted for his own profound connection to the company.

Though Dan pursued his medical path, his destiny lovingly intertwined with Elekta’s. From 1988 until his farewell in 2019, he became the company’s tireless heart, traveling the globe. He wasn’t just selling a product; he was forging genuine bonds and friendships with surgeons, embodying a “relationship-sales” approach long before the term existed, a true testament to the human connection at the core of Elekta’s mission. It was this very spirit that blossomed into the Leksell Gamma Knife Society in 1989, a gathering place for minds united by a common purpose: advancing patient care.

Yet, true love stories often face adversity. Elekta’s journey was met with a deep skepticism, exemplified by a young Dan Leksell’s daunting presentation in India in 1969. The very idea of non-invasive surgery was met with shouts and doubt, forcing the company to cultivate perseverance and a gentle, understanding response to criticism for almost thirty years.

And what a triumph it became. Even Professor Lars Leksell himself, in 1985, humbly foresaw only a few more Gamma Knife installations beyond the initial three. Yet, through unwavering dedication, that small hope blossomed into 350-360 centers worldwide today, a testament to a dream that far surpassed its inventor’s wildest imaginings. The passing of Dr. Dan Leksell in October 2023 marked the end of an era, but his laughter and profound recollections ensure his spirit, and Elekta’s enduring legacy of compassion and innovation, continue to shine brightly.

Dan and Lars Leksells

source: www.elekta.com

What Does Elekta Do Today?

The Board of Directors at Elekta AB is responsible for the company’s organization and the management of its operations, acting in the best interest of both the company and its shareholders  This nine-member board is appointed annually by the shareholders, with the general counsel serving as secretary. Seven of its nine members are independent of the company, its executive management, and major shareholders.

Here is a list of the Elekta Board of Directors members

• Laurent Leksell: Board Chairman and Chairman of the Compensation and Sustainability Committee. First elected in 1972, he is also the founder of Elekta.
• Ann Costello: Member of the Board. First elected in 2024.
• Tomas Eliasson: Member of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee. First elected in 2023.
• Jan Kimpen: Member of the Board. First elected in 2024.
• Wolfgang Reim: Member of the Board and Member of the Compensation and Sustainability Committee. First elected in 2011.
• Jan Secher: Member of the Board and Member of the Audit Committee. First elected in 2010.
• Volker Wetekam: Member of the Board and Member of the Audit Committee. First elected in 2023.
• Cecilia Wikström: Member of the Board and Member of the Compensation and Sustainability Committee. First elected in 2018.

What Programs And Research Does Elekta Offer?

Elekta provides support for investigator-initiated research and development through mechanisms like funding, access to hardware, software, and other resources. In return, they benefit from the resulting information, intellectual property, and research outcomes. This long-standing tradition of collaboration with leading investigators is crucial to their industry success. Applications for these grants, which are designed to be focused and achievable, are evaluated regularly by Elekta’s research committee, adhering to strict international and U.S. federal regulations and ethical guidelines. Research proposals are expected to demonstrate strong potential for clinical or technological innovation relevant to Elekta’s products and solutions, with indirect costs capped at 25% to maximize direct research contributions

Ensuring System Interoperability (OpenRT Certification)

Elekta’s OpenRT Certification program establishes standards for compliance, validation, deployment, and support. This initiative aims to ensure multi-component systems work together seamlessly, enhancing the quality of care by enabling smooth interoperability between treatment planning systems and Elekta’s Electronic Medical Record (EMR). This means customers can combine their preferred planning and EMR/V&R systems without compatibility concerns, as the program ensures all necessary data transfers for effective treatment management. It also offers simplified “Single-Point™ Customer Support,” where issues can be resolved with one call to either Elekta or the treatment planning vendor. Companies like NOMOS and Philips are acknowledged participants in this program.

Recognizing Excellence and Data Contribution

Elekta also sponsors awards and data initiatives to support the oncology community:

• Registrar of the Year: This program celebrates outstanding cancer registrars who have made significant contributions to registry success and the broader facility/community.
• Leksell Radiosurgery Award: Annually presented at the AANS meeting since 2009, this award honors the best paper on stereotactic radiosurgery specifically concerning brain tumors among members of the AANS and CNS Tumor Section .
• National Oncology DataBase™ (NODB): Elekta Software customers can voluntarily submit quality-checked data from their registry software to the NODB. In exchange, they receive aggregate site-specific data reports, useful for annual reports and internal comparisons.

Guidance for Product Citation

To clarify how their products should be cited in professional literature, posters, or presentations, Elekta provides specific guidelines. Products should be listed in the “Methods and Materials” sections as “Product Name, Version [if applicable], Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden.” This aligns with The AMA Manual of Style, which advises capitalizing the initial letter of trademarked words but omitting trademark symbols.

Stay updated on Radiation Oncology news at OncoDaily.

Wriiten By Aren Karapetyan, MD