Elekta AB

Primary global competitor to Varian in radiation oncology. Swedish-founded; publicly traded on Nasdaq Stockholm. Broader than just linacs — Elekta's portfolio spans external beam radiotherapy, MR-guided radiotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery (Leksell Gamma Knife), brachytherapy, and oncology software.

Company history

• 1972 — founded by neurosurgeon Lars Leksell. Original focus: the Leksell Gamma Knife (stereotactic radiosurgery, invented 1968).
• 1997 — acquires Philips Medical Systems' radiation therapy business (Philips Oncology, originally Precision Radiotherapy Systems). Inherits linac development.
• 2004 — Elekta Synergy ships — the first linac with integrated kV cone-beam CT for IGRT.
• 2014 — acquires Nucletron (brachytherapy).
• 2018 — Unity MR-Linac launches (first commercial MR-Linac).

Product line

• Linacs: Synergy (legacy), Versa HD (current flagship), Infinity, Compact (emerging markets)
• MR-Linac: Unity (1.5 T)
• Stereotactic radiosurgery: Leksell Gamma Knife Icon
• Brachytherapy: Flexitron HDR afterloader, Oncentra planning
• Oncology software: Monaco (TPS), MOSAIQ (OIS)

Differentiators vs Varian

• Agility MLC — 160-leaf collimator (vs Varian's HD 120). Finer modulation in some geometries.
• MR-Linac first-mover — Unity shipped before competitors
• Gamma Knife monopoly — sole global supplier of the Gamma Knife platform
• Open-systems philosophy — Monaco + MOSAIQ more open to third-party integration than ARIA + Eclipse

Market position

Strong #2 globally in rad onc. Leader in MR-Linac (pre-ViewRay adoption ramp). Dominant in stereotactic radiosurgery via Gamma Knife.