Philips And University Medical Center Utrecht Sign MOU To Collaborate On Innovations In Major Disease Areas

Main Category: MRI / PET / Ultrasound
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 11 Sep 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE:PHG, AEX:PHI) announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) setting out a long-term research partnership with the University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht, the Netherlands' biggest university hospital. Philips and UMC Utrecht will seek to develop new solutions for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of major disease areas.

Philips and UMC will develop collaborative research projects in medical imaging applied to brain disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disease and pulmonary disease. A key area of focus outlined in the MOU is image guided oncology interventions. Philips and UMC Utrecht expect the agreement to result in new treatment methods that will ultimately lead to an improved quality of healthcare delivery.

"High quality healthcare starts with healthcare professionals working together in teams based around their patients," said Steve Rusckowski, CEO of Philips Healthcare and member of the Board of Management of Royal Philips. "UMC Utrecht and Philips have a long history in working together to develop groundbreaking medical technologies across a wide range of radiology, cardiology, neurology and oncology applications. The secret of our success is our close cooperation. Our people love to work with the team at UMC Utrecht, and their clinicians enjoy benefitting from our research facilities. We want to build on this and to focus on developing solutions throughout the whole cycle of care - from diagnosis to treatment, recovery and follow-up."

"We've signed this MOU with Philips to focus on innovation, patient care and knowledge sharing," said Professor Geert Blijham, chairman of the Board of UMC Utrecht. "In particular, we'll focus on the treatments given to patients, with research principally directed towards translational research - bridging the gap between fundamental scientific research and clinical applications."

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified Health and Well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of "sense and simplicity". Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 133,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 27 billion in 2007, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at http://www.philips.com/newscenter.

Royal Philips Electronics

UMC Utrecht

The University Medical Center Utrecht was founded in 1999, as the result of the merger of the University Hospital, the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital and the Medical Faculty of Utrecht University. With a tradition that stretches back for more than 180 years, it has an outstanding reputation in research, patient care, and education and training. UMC Utrecht employs in total 9,238 people, disposes of 1,042 beds, has 350.000 outpatient visits and 26,244 admissions a year.

University Medical Center Utrecht