First plant of radiotherapy equipment in Latin America will be in Jundiaí
Through a project assisted by Investe SP, Varian Medical Systems inaugurates plant and training center; the linear accelerators will supply the Unified Health System (SUS)
Investe São Paulo
In addition to producing the equipment, the company will also perform the maintenance of the machines and transfer the technology to Brazilian research institutes
Varian Medical Systems, a US manufacturer of medical equipment, will build in Jundiaí its first plant in Latin America. The unit will produce radiotherapy equipment that will be purchased by the Ministry of Health for use in hospitals of the Unified Health System (SUS), in addition to housing a training and qualification center.
The project was announced on September 30, at a meeting with the Governor of the State of São Paulo, Geraldo Alckmin.
This is the 7th plant of linear accelerators in the world. The project relies on the support from Investe São Paulo, the investment promotion agency associated with the Department of Economic Development, Science, Technology and Innovation.
“Varian’s project is included in the scope of our program to bring more investments related to Health Care for the State. This type of project increment a rich and complex chain with quality jobs and the development of technology. And it is perfectly natural that companies choose to settle where the best universities and research centers are located, that is, in the state of São Paulo,” said the agency’s president, Juan Quirós.
Investe SP has been assisting Varian in several aspects, providing orientation on tax incentives and the environmental analysis of the potential locations considered for the construction of the plant. The area chosen covers 17,500 square meters.
For the company, it was important to build its headquarters in any city in the region between Jundiaí and Campinas, to have easy access to international airports, highways and the Port of Santos. The proximity to research and cancer treatment centers also influenced the decision.
The decision to come to Brazil was made after Varian won a bidding promoted by the Ministry of Health in 2013. In the agreement, the federal government undertakes to invest R$ 500 million in the purchase of 80 linear accelerators from the company, to be delivered by 2018, when the plant will start operations.
The US company, in turn, in addition to producing the equipment, will also perform the maintenance of the machines and transfer the technology to Brazilian research institutes. The company also has to provide training to suppliers for the production line, since the final product must have at least 40% of parts, accessories and software made in Brazil.
The project also features a training center for health care professionals who work with the devices across Latin America. So far, this training was made in Las Vegas, USA.
About Varian Medical Systems
Varian Medical Systems focuses its energies on saving lives. To meet this challenge, the company equips the world with new tools for fighting cancer, taking X-ray images, and protecting ports and borders. Operating since the 1950s, Varian has pioneered developments in the fields of radiotherapy, radiosurgery, X-ray tube technology, digital image detectors, cargo screening, and non-destructive testing. It currently employs more than 6,500 people in 70 offices around the world.
Varian shows a great commitment to Brazil and to the fight against cancer.