Philips Signs Long-Term Healthcare Research Partnership with West China Hospital

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Royal Philips Electronics has signed a long-term research partnership agreement with West China Hospital, an affiliate of the Sichuan University in Chengdu, China. Under the seven-year agreement, Philips will collaborate with Hospital to develop new medical imaging procedures for the diagnosis and monitoring of certain types of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mental diseases.

Philips is consistently strengthening its position in the fast-growing Chinese healthcare market—a key element of the company's increased focus on emerging markets.

“With 5,000 beds and two million outpatients, West China Hospital is one of the largest and most technologically advanced hospitals in China, and the perfect partner for Philips,” says Rick Harwig, CTO of Royal Philips Electronics. “I am convinced that the results of the joint research program will enable us to strengthen our support capabilities and to refine our products to meet the specific needs of medical facilities in China.”

Chronic diseases, including those caused by cardiovascular problems, cancer, and diabetes, caused 80 per cent of deaths in China during the period 1991 to 2000. The lack of timely medical treatment and efficient prevention measures are the main reasons for the continuing high levels of such diseases. As a leading manufacturer of sophisticated medical equipment for diagnosis and treatment, Philips continually strives to enhance the efficacy of its medical technologies through research conducted with leading medical institutions.

The Philips/West China Hospital collaboration will include eight new research projects involving medical imaging technologies such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT).