For the second time Varian Start-Up Challenge Contest starts for Russian high-tech startup projects and innovative teams, focused on the development of efficient technological solutions in the field of radiation therapy and other cancer treatment methods.
The contest is organized by Skolkovo Foundation and its partner Varian Medical Systems, Inc. (USA), a leader in production of equipment for radiation therapy.
Contest winners will be considered as potential suppliers of high technology or research for Varian, they will receive up to 50 thousand dollars to continue their R&D projects. Novel component of this year Contest is the opportunity to apply for additional grant funding, which Skolkovo Foundation is ready to provide to contest winners if they pass all the procedures required by the Foundation.
«The leading technologists within Varian have defined seven future development opportunities and will entertain research proposals that address these challenges from scientists in Russia’s R&D community», - says Scott Johnson, Varian’s director of research collaborations, who is coordinating Varian’s support for the project. «As with last year’s successful contest, we are looking forward to supporting forward-thinking, next-generation research that could well be developed and commercialized».
Applications for the Contest are accepted from individuals and legal entities till April 30, 2014 in seven key topics of research in application of radiation technologies in medicine:
1. Automatic segmentation of soft tissue organs on CT images.
2. Optimal directions and spatial configurations for radiation beams.
3. Electronic brachytherapy treatment delivery device.
4. Design of a compact proton gantry system.
5. 3D patient profile monitoring system.
6. Dose and MLC leaf position monitoring system.
7. High power target design.
All the proposals received during the Contest will be evaluated by Selection Committee, which will include representatives of Varian, Skolkovo Foundation, as well as independent experts.
«Considering the success of the first Contest with Varian Medical Systems, this year we are going to repeat this experience. This is a great tool for developing partnerships with large industrial partners, and at the same time, attract new best innovative projects in the ecosystem of Skolkovo Foundation», - said Igor Karavaev, Executive Director of the Nuclear Technologies Cluster of Skolkovo Foundation.
Contest winners will be announced at the Startup Village International Conference to be held on 2-3 June 2014 at Skolkovo Hypercube.
For more information about the contest visit the web page www.varianstartupchallenge.sk.ru
About Varian Medical Systems
Varian Medical Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California, is the world's leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiotherapy, radiosurgery, and brachytherapy. The company supplies informatics software for managing comprehensive cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers and medical oncology practices. Varian is a premier supplier of tubes, digital detectors, and image processing workstations for X-ray imaging in medical, scientific, and industrial applications and also supplies high-energy X-ray devices for cargo screening and non-destructive testing applications. Varian Medical Systems employs approximately 6,200 people who are located at manufacturing sites in North America, Europe, and China and approximately 70 sales and support offices around the world. For more information, visit http://www.varian.com.
More than 50 Varian medical linear accelerators are installed in Russian cancer clinics and the company currently supplies approximately 20 new treatment systems each year to radiotherapy departments in the country.