By combining data from different imaging modalities to increase the visibility of structures of interest and by mapping biological processes such as metabolism onto these images, new multi-modality imaging solutions could help clinicians to determine the presence and extent of many diseases at an earlier stage. This diagnostic information could then help them to plan and guide minimally-invasive interventions. It is expected that such solutions will contribute to more timely and more personalized treatments for patients and thereby improve treatment success rates.

To this end, both parties will work on the development and validation of next-generation medical imaging procedures, with initial projects focusing on nuclear imaging, especially Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and optical imaging techniques. For these modalities, the joint research projects will explore novel imaging agents (disease-specific contrast agents and tracers) and develop dedicated software for quantitative image analysis and user-friendly data presentation. Research programs for other imaging modalities are currently being prepared.

"We are very excited about our collaboration with Philips," says Elmer Mulder, CEO of VUmc. "I am confident that VUmc's excellence in medical care and expertise in molecular imaging, combined with Philips' innovation in next-generation medical scanners, will result in further progress in improving the lives of patients suffering from devastating oncological, neurological and cardiovascular diseases."

"In view of today's complex challenges in healthcare, such as the aging population, the demand for improved quality of care and rising healthcare costs, partnerships are one of the key ways to address the issues," says Jim Beckett, Vice President Philips Healthcare and head of Philips' Clinical Research Program. "Although medical technologies have consistently proved to be a significant part of the solution, we must always start with the needs of patients and care providers. Together with VUmc, we will work strenuously on developing novel medical imaging solutions aimed at detecting diseases at an earlier stage and on developing treatments that are ever-more tailored to individual patients."

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• Philips Healthcare's Profile

About VU University Medical Center
VU University Medical Center's core business consists of patient care, scientific research, and education. Its pivotal points in care and research are cancer and immunity, the brain, movement, vital functions and extramural care. Each year 38,000 patients are admitted (including one-day admissions), well over 300,000 patients visit the Outpatients department and 40,000 arrive at the Accident and Emergency department. Approximately 2,000 medical students are in training here. Each year, VU University Medical Center produces around 2,000 scientific publications and reports based on the scientific research carried out here. This includes the results of thesis research projects being carried out by 100 PhD students.

VU University Medical Center is a member of the Dutch Federation of University Medical Centers (NFU). The NFU is a collaborative venture of the eight university medical centers (UMCs) in the Netherlands. Its overall objective is to promote the common interests of the UMCs. The other members of the NFU are the AMC (Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam), azM (University Hospital Maastricht), Erasmus MC (University Medical Center Rotterdam), LUMC (Leiden University Medical Center), UMCG (University Medical Center Groningen), UMC Utrecht (University Medical Center Utrecht) and UMC St Radboud (Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center). A total of 60,000 staff are employed by the eight UMCs.

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 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 23 billion in 2009, 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 www.philips.com/newscenter.