ST. LOUIS, September 8, 1999 - AmeriNet, Inc., the nation's largest membership-based health care group purchasing organization (GPO), has renewed a three-year sole-source contract with Varian Medical Systems, Inc. (NYSE:VAR) to supply AmeriNet's members with advanced radiotherapy systems for the treatment of cancer.
Varian Medical Systems will offer to AmeriNet members its state-of-the-art equipment and software for intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), including the new EX Platinum Clinac� linear accelerator and the Generation 6 line of fully integrated treatment delivery systems. The agreement, which runs through 2002, has a potential value of up to $45 million.
"The Varian product line is a valuable asset to AmeriNet's contract portfolio," said Bud Bowen, president of AmeriNet. "The contract renewal will enable us to continue to provide our members access to the highest caliber of cancer treatment equipment."
Varian Medical Systems' radiotherapy system includes its Clinac� linear accelerators and Ximatron� treatment simulators as well as multi-leaf collimators and other accessories for state-of-the-art IMRT. The fully-integrated system also includes software for treatment planning and managing patient information as well as brachytherapy systems and medical imaging accessories.
"By continuing our working relationship, AmeriNet and Varian Medical Systems offer patients the most advanced radiotherapy solutions and extend the range of IMRT technology in the war against cancer," said Michael Klein, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Varian Medical Systems oncology business.
Founded in 1986, AmeriNet, Inc., headquartered in St. Louis, operates through its three shareholder health organizations: Hospital Shared Services, Intermountain Health Care, Inc. and Vector. It represents more than 10,400 member facilities in all 50 states, including hospitals, medical group practices, nursing homes, surgery centers, managed care organizations, pharmacies and integrated delivery networks. This membership represents more than 317,000 health care beds. Additional information about AmeriNet can be found at www.amerinet-gpo.com.