Panacea Medical Technologies’ Siddharth II Linac: A Closer Look with CEO G.V. Subrahmanyam

At the 2023 ASTRO conference, Panacea Medical Technologies unveiled a new linear accelerator, the Siddharth II. Since then, Panacea has secured FDA 510k approval and installed the first system, which is now treating over 70 patients a day with its advanced imaging and treatment technologies. Julia Enderle, Vice President of Strategic Accounts at Radiology Oncology Systems (ROS), sat down with G.V. Subrahmanyam, CEO of Panacea Medical Technologies, to learn more about this innovative ring-based linear accelerator system.

Julia Enderle: Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Subrahmanyam. We’re looking forward to learning more about Panacea and the Siddharth II linear accelerator. To start, could you share with us your background and your role in the company?

G.V. Subrahmanyam: My background is in Aeronautical engineering, but as one of the founders of Panacea, I’ve been focused on developing advanced medical technologies. We’ve had the chance to create some of the most sophisticated linear accelerators, always keeping precision and sustainability at the forefront. It’s been an amazing journey so far.

Enderle: What inspired your transition from aerospace engineering to developing sophisticated medical technology?

Subrahmanyam: The inspiration really comes from the enormous impact that radiation therapy can create for cancer cure globally. Cancer’s relentless grip on humanity mandates a global response. We’re looking at more than 8 million lives lost each year, and that number is projected to hit 13 million annually by 2030.

At Panacea, we’ve always had this vision of a world where innovative technology can bridge the treatment gap. As cancer’s footprint expands due to lifestyle changes, pollution, and other factors, our commitment to developing accessible solutions only grows stronger.

Enderle: Your focus on increasing access to care really resonates with us at ROS – it’s a mission we share and take great pride in. Let’s talk about the Siddharth II. Can you tell our readers what makes it such a unique machine for treating cancer patients?

Subrahmanyam: Certainly. What makes Siddharth II unique is its ability to provide advanced cancer treatment in a wide range of settings, from modern cities to remote areas, which aligns with our mission to increase access to care.

Siddharth II is an advanced radiation therapy machine with several key features. It’s built on a ring-shaped platform, which helps doctors target tumors more accurately during treatment, a crucial factor for effective care.

In addition to its advanced imaging capabilities, Siddharth II supports a variety of treatment modalities, including 3D-CRT, IMRT, IGRT, and VMAT. This versatility ensures precise tumor targeting while protecting healthy tissue. The system’s dual-kV imaging technology further enhances accuracy by capturing detailed 3D images within seconds, allowing for real-time treatment adjustments.

We’ve prioritized both efficiency and patient comfort. The machine has a simple workflow – just four steps from setting up the patient to delivering the treatment. This efficiency is particularly valuable in areas with limited resources or high patient volumes.

All these features combined make Siddharth II a unique solution for providing high-quality cancer treatment, whether in well-equipped urban hospitals or in more challenging environments where access to care has traditionally been limited.

Enderle: The Siddharth II clearly has some advanced features. Could you elaborate on the specific benefits for cancer patients and the clinicians treating them?

Subrahmanyam: Absolutely. For patients, comfort is key. The Siddharth II has the widest opening in the industry at 1.5 meters, larger than a wide-bore CT machine. This helps reduce feelings of claustrophobia. The treatment bed can be lowered close to the ground for easy access, and we’ve added soft lighting to create a calming environment.

For clinicians, it’s about efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The machine’s design allows for faster treatments, meaning more patients can be seen. It’s also upgradable, so hospitals can start with a basic system and add more advanced capabilities later without replacing the whole machine.

We’ve included a built-in quality check system, eliminating the need for extra equipment. This saves money and simplifies operations. All these features combined mean we can offer high-quality cancer treatment to more people, even in areas where it wasn’t available before.

Enderle: Tell us about your first installed machine. How has it been working thus far?

Subrahmanyam: We’re excited to report that Siddharth II is now treating patients in four clinical facilities. The machine is being used for a variety of cancer cases, including head & neck, lung, breast, prostate, and cervix. One of our facilities is treating up to 74 patients daily, showcasing the system’s efficiency and throughput capabilities.

Enderle: As you introduce Siddharth II to the broader medical community, what events are on your calendar? Will Panacea be at ASTRO in Washington, D.C.?

Subrahmanyam: Absolutely. ASTRO 2024 is a key event for us. We’ll be at Booth 1306, coincidentally next to ROS. It’s a great platform to engage with the oncology community and share how we’re expanding access to advanced cancer treatments. We’re looking forward to the valuable discussions and connections ASTRO always brings.

Enderle: Given your unique perspective, what do you see in the future for the radiation oncology industry?

Subrahmanyam: I see radiation oncology becoming increasingly integrated, intelligent, and autonomous.

I think we’ll see more AI integration, more personalized treatment plans, and hopefully, even more effective and comfortable treatment experiences for patients. The industry is moving fast, and it’s exciting to be part of that progress. We’re always pushing to make treatments more accessible, more precise, and more effective.

Enderle: What is your goal for the future of Panacea?

Subrahmanyam: By 2025, Panacea aims to be a major global contributor in radiotherapy and radiology markets by bringing out innovative solutions.

Our commitment reaches beyond innovation, embracing social responsibility, environmental harmony, and ESG principles. We recognize cancer’s broader impact and have eased its burden in underserved areas. Our advanced treatments and collaborations globally bring hope and lasting change to families and communities.

Sustainability threads through our operations, lessening our carbon footprint. We focus on accessible advanced care, empowering training, global impact, and sustainable manufacturing.

Ultimately, our mission is about hope. We want to bring the most advanced cancer treatments to as many people as possible, regardless of their location or economic situation. We’re committed to highly integrated, intelligent, and autonomous Radiation Oncology solutions that serve the needs of both clinicians and patients.

Enderle: Thank you, Mr. Subrahmanyam. It’s been a pleasure learning more about Panacea and Siddharth II. Your dedication to expanding global access to advanced cancer treatments is truly commendable. We’re excited to see how Panacea continues to innovate and make an impact in radiation oncology.