MD Anderson Taps IBA for a Major Proton Therapy Center Upgrade

LOUVAIN-LA-NEUVE, Belgium – January 19, 2026 – In a landmark move set to redefine the cutting edge of cancer care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has selected IBA to supply three of its state-of-the-art Proteus®ONE proton therapy systems. The contract, awarded after a competitive public bidding process, will see a comprehensive modernization of the Houston-based institution's renowned Proton Therapy Center.

This significant partnership between the world leader in particle accelerator technology and the nation's #1 ranked cancer hospital signifies a deep commitment to advancing precision oncology. The deal, estimated to be valued between USD 135 million and USD 165 million based on typical system pricing, involves retrofitting the existing center to enhance treatment capabilities, streamline clinical operations, and ensure patients have access to the most sophisticated proton therapy technology available.

Olivier Legrain, Chief Executive Officer of IBA, commented on the collaboration, stating, “Being selected by the world’s leading oncology center is a strong validation of IBA’s technology, innovation roadmap, and long-term commitment to proton therapy. MD Anderson’s mission to eliminate cancer through outstanding clinical care, research, and education is fully aligned with our ambitions.”

A New Era in Precision Oncology

The core of the upgrade lies in the Proteus®ONE system itself, a compact, single-room solution that represents a significant leap forward in radiation therapy. Unlike older, sprawling multi-room facilities, the Proteus®ONE's smaller footprint makes advanced proton therapy more accessible to hospitals, but its true power lies in its precision.

The system utilizes Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT), also known as Pencil Beam Scanning, a technique that MD Anderson helped pioneer. This method allows clinicians to “paint” a tumor with a proton beam layer by layer, delivering a potent, targeted dose of radiation that conforms precisely to the tumor's shape. The key advantage is the physical property of protons, which deposit most of their energy at a specific depth and then stop, drastically reducing the radiation dose to surrounding healthy tissues and critical organs. This precision minimizes side effects, reduces the risk of secondary cancers, and improves patients' quality of life during and after treatment.

This technological upgrade is powerfully underscored by MD Anderson's own recent research. A landmark Phase 3 clinical trial led by the institution and published in The Lancet demonstrated that IMPT not only significantly reduces severe side effects for patients with oropharyngeal (throat) cancer compared to traditional IMRT radiation but also improves overall survival. The study found a 10% higher 5-year survival rate for patients receiving proton therapy, establishing it as a new standard of care for this indication and providing powerful evidence for its broader application.

A Strategic Victory in a Competitive Market

For IBA, securing this contract is more than just a major sale; it is a resounding strategic victory that cements its leadership in the highly competitive proton therapy market. The selection by an institution with the global prestige of MD Anderson serves as an unparalleled endorsement of its technology, likely influencing purchasing decisions at other cancer centers worldwide.

The deal provides a significant boost to IBA's order book, which already showed a stable backlog of €1.3 billion as of Q3 2025. The company has projected steady revenue growth and aims for a recurring pre-tax profit margin of around 10% by 2028, a goal that high-profile contracts like this one help secure.

IBA operates in a market with formidable competitors, including Varian (a Siemens Healthineers company), Hitachi, and Mevion Medical Systems, all of which are innovating to make proton therapy more compact, efficient, and affordable. The Proteus®ONE system's combination of a smaller physical footprint, advanced imaging capabilities, and a “future-ready” platform designed to integrate upcoming innovations like DynamicARC® and ConformalFLASH® therapies, gives it a distinct competitive edge. This forward-looking design was a key factor for MD Anderson, ensuring its investment remains at the forefront of cancer research and treatment for years to come.

Modernizing a Proton Therapy Pioneer

MD Anderson has been a central figure in the story of proton therapy in the United States. The institution opened its first Proton Therapy Center in 2006, one of the first in the nation to be fully integrated within a comprehensive cancer hospital. By 2008, it became the first in North America to offer the revolutionary IMPT technique, and it has since treated thousands of patients for a wide array of complex tumors.

This modernization project represents the next chapter in that legacy. By replacing its original systems, which were supplied by Hitachi, with IBA's Proteus®ONE solutions, MD Anderson is not just upgrading its equipment but reaffirming its institutional philosophy: to leverage the most advanced tools available in its mission to eliminate cancer. The new systems are expected to integrate seamlessly into the center's LINAC-like workflows, enhancing operational efficiency and allowing clinical staff to treat more patients with greater precision.

The upgrade aligns with a broader trend of expanding the applications for proton therapy. In 2023, the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) updated its guidelines, recommending proton therapy as a standard of care for more conditions, including for adolescent and young adult patients and for a wider range of thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic tumors. As the clinical evidence base grows, so does the demand from patients and physicians for access to this superior form of radiation treatment. MD Anderson's investment ensures it is well-equipped to meet this growing demand and continue to lead the charge in defining the role of proton therapy across all disease sites.