Designed to support particle therapies including proton and carbon ion, the system combines upright positioning with onboard CT imaging.
Leo Cancer Care has received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its flagship product, Marie, a radiotherapy system combining upright patient positioning and a CT scanner.
Particle therapies such as proton and carbon ion therapy have long been considered the gold standard in radiation oncology. However, the cost, size, and complexity of conventional systems with large rotating gantries have historically limited widespread adoption.
Leo Cancer Care’s upright solution aims to address these barriers. By rotating the patient rather than the beam, Marie eliminates the need for a rotating gantry, dramatically reducing infrastructure costs, simplifying installation, and expanding access to this advanced level of care, according to a release from the company.
Marie is particle beam-agnostic, meaning it’s compatible with a range of current and emerging treatment modalities, including proton, carbon ion, BNCT, and FLASH therapies. Its upright design opens new possibilities for treatment planning and delivery, particularly for tumors in the thoracic and abdominal regions. When compared to supine treatments, evidence suggests anatomical shifts are reduced due to the gravitational direction.
“This clearance marks a major milestone not just for Leo Cancer Care, but for the future of cancer treatment,” says Stephen Towe, CEO of Leo Cancer Care, in a release. “We’ve long believed there’s a better, more human way to deliver radiotherapy. One that puts the patient at the heart of the treatment experience and embraces smarter, more compassionate design. Marie is the embodiment of that belief.”
Work in Clinical Research and Trials
Through collaborations with hospitals worldwide, Leo Cancer Care is conducting clinical research and trials, aiming to lay a foundation for the widespread adoption of upright therapy as a new standard in radiotherapy.
“We are incredibly proud of the teams and collaborators who helped bring Marie to life,” says Thomas “Rock” Mackie, co-founder and board chairman of Leo Cancer Care, in a release. “This is just the beginning. We’re working closely with leading particle beam companies and institutions worldwide to explore how upright positioning can unlock new levels of precision and personalization in cancer care.”
Photo caption: Marie, Leo Cancer Care’s upright particle therapy solution
Photo credit: Leo Cancer Care
