From the October 2021 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
Two other active vendors currently seen in the market are Accuray and ViewRay. We see limited quoting activity for the Accuray CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery system, the Accuray Radixact system, and the ViewRay MRIdian MR-Guided system. Over the past 12 months, there has been increased customer interest in MR-guided radiation therapy systems but limited quoting activity, because they tend to be more expensive than standard LINACs and range between $5,350,000 and $5,9000,000.
Proton therapy systems promote lower-dose treatments over conventional LINACs; however, the cost of a proton therapy system can range between $20,000,000 and $150,000,000. symplr has not seen any quoting activity or customer inquiries in over 36 months for proton therapy systems. Currently, 38 proton therapy centers are treating across the U.S.
When faced with budget constraints, many customers will opt to upgrade their older systems with the latest software and hardware technology to mitigate costs. Upgrade configurations can vary widely based on customer needs and typically average between $150,000 and $300,000. Customers are choosing options such as VMAT to provide faster and more precise treatments. With upgrades and new technology enhancements, LINACs can often outlive their useful life of 5-7 years depending on the type of system.
We highly recommend full-coverage maintenance agreements due to the complexity of the technology and the high cost of replacement parts and labor. We see a great deal of quote activity for service renewals on both old and newer LINACs. Pricing for service will range on average between $200,000 and $300,000 annually, depending on the age of the equipment, models covered, type of coverage, and condition of the equipment.
The market is poised to see significant growth once the pandemic has ended; however, with the recent COVID-19 resurgence in many areas of the U.S., it is unclear how this will impact the radiotherapy market in the near future. Customers purchasing a linear accelerator are looking to enhance value while promoting better clinical outcomes. With the projected growth and innovative technology emerging in the market, customers must consider factors such as cost, functionality, upgradability, and maintenance as they navigate the purchase of a new radiotherapy system.
About the author: Julie Johnson is R&A senior advisor for symplr.
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