Palo Alto, CA-based Varian Medical Systems reported net income of $5.2 million on sales of $141 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2000 (end-December 31), a 35% sales increase over the same period last year. The x-ray and radiation therapy equipment vendor attributed the revenue growth to an unusually weak first quarter last year, coupled with growing demand for its radiotherapy systems.
While all of Varian's business segments saw improvement over the previous year's corresponding quarter, the company's oncology systems segment posted the most dramatic gains, with sales of $106 million for the quarter, up 41% from a year ago. The oncology systems segment covers sales of accelerators, simulators, software and services for advanced radiotherapy, including the company's SmartBeam intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) systems used in radiotherapy of prostate, breast, head and neck cancers.
The company also reported sales of $30 million for its x-ray products segment, up 13% from last year, results that included especially strong sales of x-ray tubes used in Varian's subsecond CT scanners. Varian's research facility, the Ginzton Technology Center, recorded sales of $5 million for the quarter, up 68% from a year ago. The center focuses on developing new technologies such as brachytherapy systems and treatment planning software.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
January 27, 2000
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