Advanced Oncotherapy (AVO) – Senior Management Appointments

Advanced Oncotherapy (AVO), the developer of next-generation proton therapy systems for cancer treatment, announces that Michel Baelen has joined the Company as Head of Regulatory Affairs and Gerardo d’Auria has been appointed as a new Technical Director with immediate effect.

Michel Baelen holds a Doctorate in management sciences from France and is graduated in Electrical Engineering from Belgium. Prior to joining Advanced Oncotherapy, he has held the positions of Health Policy Compliance Director and Head of Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance of the proton therapy-based company IBA for over 19 years. As part of his very strong regulatory background, he has experience in dealing with regulatory authorities in the US and China – two markets of huge relevance to Advanced Oncotherapy as it continues to develop its next generation proton therapy system.

Gerardo d’Auria, doctor in physics at the University Federico II of Naples (Italy) has more than 30 years of experience working with RF systems and linear accelerators (Linacs). Senior accelerator scientist at Elettra – Sincrotrone Trieste for over 25 years, prior to joining, as a consultant, Advanced Oncotherapy’s team “ADAM” based in Geneva as a Technical Director, he was involved in the design and construction of high power storage ring RF systems and high energy electron Linacs. He has written and co-written over 130 papers in scientific journals and presented at numerous international conferences. His unique experience in linear accelerators is hugely complementary to Steve Myers’ background in circular accelerators.

Michael Sinclair, CEO of Advanced Oncotherapy, commented: “The wealth of knowledge and experience that these two new appointments provide us is second to none. Their experience will bring additional support to the accelerated development of the LIGHT system. We are extremely lucky to have been able to attract individuals of this calibre to come and join us and we are looking forward having them on board and working with them in the future.” 

About Advanced Oncotherapy Plc www.avoplc.com

Advanced Oncotherapy is a provider of particle therapy systems with protons that harnesses the best in modern technology. As a result, Advanced Oncotherapy will offer healthcare providers affordable systems that will enable them to treat cancer with an innovative technology as well as better health outcomes and lower treatment related side effects.

Advanced Oncotherapy’s team “ADAM” based in Geneva focuses on the development of a proprietary proton accelerator called Linac Image Guided Hadron Technology (“LIGHT”). LIGHT accelerates protons to the energy levels achieved in legacy machines but in a unit that is a fraction of the size and significantly lower in cost. This compact configuration delivers proton beams in a way that facilitates a greater precision and electronic control which is not achievable with older technologies.

The Company has signed two purchase agreements with Sinophi Healthcare Limited for the LIGHT proton therapy systems to be installed in hospitals in China. There are also four additional framework agreements and further Letters of Intent from other healthcare providers. 

The Company has also signed a joint venture agreement with CircleHealth, owned by AIM-listed Circle Holdings plc, to operate the Company’s proton beam cancer therapy centre in Harley Street.

Advanced Oncotherapy continually monitors the market for any emerging improvements in delivering proton therapy and actively seeks working relationships with providers of these innovative technologies. Through these relationships, the Company will remain the prime provider of an innovative and cost-effective system for particle therapy with protons.