Advanced Oncotherapy (AIM: AVO), the developer of next-generation proton therapy systems for cancer treatment, has told DirectorsTalk that the first tests have begun on the Side Coupled Drift Tube Linac, in line with the Company’s expected timetable.
The SCDTL modules are being constructed in Italy by T.S.C. Srl. When combined, the four SCDTL modules used in the LIGHT system will accelerate protons from 5MeV to 37.5MeV. The SCDTLs are a key component in the company’s next generation proton therapy system, and sit between the Radio Frequency Quadruple (“RFQ”), which first accelerates the protons to 5MeV, and the Coupled Cavity Linac, which accelerate protons from the SCDTL to the speeds needed to effectively treat radiosensitive tumours.
The news that TSC has commenced testing of the SCDTL at its facility in Fiumicino, near Rome, follows on from the successful completion of RF Power testing of the first CCL module in May and is in line with the timetable provided by the Company to shareholders in November 2014.
Commenting, Sanjeev Pandya, CEO of Advanced Oncotherapy, said: “The first SCDTL testing is another key step towards the successful delivery of our first LIGHT system and I am very pleased that we continue to develop the LIGHT system in line with the timetable that we outlined to investors last year and have reiterated recently. We remain on schedule for first patient treatment in 2017 and well-funded to deliver this to plan.”
