Core Insights - IBA announces that a landmark study published in The Lancet recommends proton therapy as the new standard of care for oropharyngeal cancer, providing the highest level of evidence for its benefits over conventional radiotherapy [1][4]. Industry Overview - Oropharyngeal cancer is a significant global health issue, with over 100,000 new cases diagnosed annually. Current treatments often lead to severe side effects, highlighting the need for more effective therapies [2]. Clinical Trial Details - The study involved over 20 institutions and enrolled 440 patients, marking the first level 1 randomized phase 3 trial comparing Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) with advanced photon therapy (IMRT) [3]. - The trial provides strong evidence for proton therapy's safety and effectiveness, establishing it as a transformative solution for oropharyngeal cancer [3]. Key Findings - The five-year overall survival rate for patients receiving IMPT is 90.9%, compared to 81.0% for those receiving IMRT, indicating a significant improvement in survival [6]. - IMPT also shows a 42% reduction in the hazard of death and significantly lower rates of severe toxicities compared to IMRT [6]. Expert Commentary - Experts emphasize the importance of this study in establishing proton therapy as the standard of care for advanced oropharyngeal cancer, with potential for increased accessibility for patients [4].

Company Overview - IBA (Ion Beam Applications) is the world's leading provider of proton therapy solutions for cancer treatment, specializing in particle accelerator technology and advanced radiation therapy [11] - The company is based in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, and employs approximately 2,100 people globally [11] - IBA is listed on the pan-European stock exchange EURONEXT [12] Shareholding Notification - FMR LLC issued a transparency notification regarding a change in voting rights, indicating that Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC crossed downwards the 1% threshold on April 3, 2025 [2][10] - Following the transaction, Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC holds 397,873 voting rights, representing 0.98% of the total voting rights [5] - The total voting rights held by all entities under FMR LLC amount to 579,650, which is 1.43% of the total [5][6] Controlled Undertakings - The chain of controlled undertakings includes FIAM LLC, which is controlled by FIAM Holdings LLC, and FMR Investment Management (UK) Limited, controlled by Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC [8] - FMR LLC is the parent company and is not a controlled undertaking [8] Investment Management - The holdings attributed to the entities mentioned arise from various collective investment undertakings managed by FIAM LLC, FMR Investment Management (UK) Limited, and Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC [9] - These entities act as discretionary investment managers and exercise voting rights at their discretion in the absence of specific instructions [9]