SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AMERICAN SHARED HOSPITAL SERVICES (AMEX:AMS), a leading provider of turnkey technology solutions for advanced radiosurgical and radiation therapy services, today shared a recent announcement from Mevion Medical Systems, Inc., formerly Still River Systems, Inc., regarding a $45 million investment in Mevion by a group of leading private venture capital firms. Mevion is the manufacturer of the MEVION S250 Proton Therapy System. After this funding, AMS will own approximately 1% of Mevion. AMS is developing proton therapy centers in Boston (Tufts Medical Center), Orlando (Orlando Regional Healthcare) and Long Beach, California (Long Beach Memorial Medical Center) which are expected to employ the MEVION S250 proton therapy device:
Leading Private Venture Capital Firms
Invest $45 Million
in Mevion Medical Systems
LITTLETON, Mass., Jan. 24, 2012 -- Mevion Medical Systems announced today that it has closed a $45 Million investment from ProQuest Investments and its existing investors, including Caxton Heath Life Sciences, Venrock and CHL Medical Partners. Mevion is the manufacturer of the MEVION S250 Proton Therapy System. The capital will be used to accelerate the manufacturing and worldwide deployment of the MEVION S250.
Proton beam radiation therapy permits more precise dose targeting by complete proton absorption at predictable tissue depth, allowing the treatment of target volumes adjacent to critical structures without inadvertent dose to sensitive structures. The availability of proton therapy has remained very limited however, due to the enormous cost, large footprint, and technical complexity of traditional proton systems. Powered by a TriNiobium CoreTM, the MEVION S250 significantly reduces the cost, size and complexity to levels similar to other modern X-ray radiation therapy devices, and brings accessibility, affordability and practicality to proton therapy.
"We welcome the new endorsement by ProQuest Investments and the continuing support of our existing financial partners", said Joseph K. Jachinowski, Chief Executive Officer of Mevion Medical Systems. "With delivery of our first system complete and with two additional systems now under installation, this investment will support the growing demand for our innovative technology. We are also pleased to welcome Mr. Jay Moorin of ProQuest Investments onto the Mevion Medical Systems' Board of Directors," stated Jachinowski.
The MEVION S250 Proton Therapy System has not yet been cleared by the United States Food and Drug Administration for clinical use.
About ProQuest Investments
ProQuest is a healthcare venture capital firm with offices in Princeton, San Diego and Montreal. ProQuest invests in healthcare companies seeking financings from seed to late-stage. ProQuest's portfolio reflects the rich diversity of the healthcare industry and exemplifies our commitment to fostering the growth of exceptional businesses. For more information, please visit ProQuest's website at www.proquestvc.com.
About Venrock
Venrock is a premier venture capital firm with offices in Palo Alto, New York, Cambridge, MA, and Israel. Originally established as the venture capital arm of the Rockefeller family, Venrock continues a seven-decade tradition of partnering with entrepreneurs to establish successful, enduring companies. For more information, please visit Venrock's website at www.venrock.com.
About CHL Medical Partners
CHL Medical Partners is a premier venture capital firm dedicated to partnering with entrepreneurs and inventors to create and finance innovative biotechnology, molecular diagnostic, healthcare service and medical device companies. For more information, visit www.chlmedical.com.
About Mevion Medical Systems
Mevion Medical Systems, Inc. (formerly Still River Systems, Inc.) is a radiation therapy company dedicated to advancing the treatment of cancer. As the pioneering developer of modern proton therapy systems, Mevion provides innovative, safe, and effective solutions by transforming advances in medical technology and science into practical clinical reality.
Mevion's flagship product, the MEVION S250 Proton Therapy System, is designed to preserve all of the treatment benefits of traditional proton therapy systems while removing the obstacles of size, cost, and complexity. Realizing this vision, Mevion has forever changed the economics and accessibility of proton therapy worldwide.
Founded in 2004, Mevion is a privately held company headquartered in the Boston metropolitan area with international offices in the United Kingdom and Japan.
Visit us at: www.mevion.com
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Contact:
Melanie M. Miller
Marketing & Communications
Coordinator
Mevion Medical Systems
E: melanie@mevion.com
P:
978.540.1551
About AMS
American Shared Hospital Services (www.ashs.com) provides turnkey technology solutions for advanced radiosurgical and radiation therapy services. Since 1991, AMS' creative financing solutions have enabled its clinical partners to make the latest advances in radiation oncology available to patients at an affordable price. AMS is the world leader in providing Gamma Knife® Radiosurgery equipment, a non-invasive treatment for malignant and benign brain tumors, vascular malformations and trigeminal neuralgia (facial pain). The Company also offers the latest IGRT and IMRT systems, as well as its proprietary Operating Room for the 21st Century® concept. AMS also is a leader in proton beam radiation therapy (PBRT), the next great growth opportunity in radiation oncology. AMS currently is developing PBRT centers in Dayton, Ohio (Kettering Medical Center), Boston (Tufts Medical Center), Orlando (Orlando Regional Healthcare) and Long Beach, California (Long Beach Memorial Medical Center), and is negotiating additional projects. AMS also owns a preferred stock investment in Mevion Medical Systems, formerly Still River Systems, developer of the compact MEVION S250 PBRT system, which has not yet been approved by the FDA.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release may be deemed to contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and future plans of American Shared Hospital Services, which involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the risks of the Gamma Knife and radiation therapy businesses, the risks of developing The Operating Room for the 21st Century program, and the risks of investing in a development-stage company, Mevion Medical Systems, Inc., without a proven product. Further information on potential factors that could affect the financial condition, results of operations and future plans of American Shared Hospital Services is included in the filings of the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, Form 10-Q and 10-Q/A for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, and the definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on June 9, 2011.