Amethyst Healthcare and Stingray join forces to create Europe’s largest Independent Cancer Care platform

Amethyst Healthcare today announced the creation of Europe’s largest independent cancer care platform following its combination with Stingray Healthcare, a leading European oncology network headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. The transaction follows Fremman Capital’s acquisition of Stingray from Jacobs Capital.

The new group brings together two highly complementary organisations united by a shared mission to expand access to high-quality, patient-centred cancer care across Europe and be the partner of choice for cancer care professionals and institutions. Together, they will operate more than 30 treatment centres in eight countries, delivering around 35,000 radiotherapy treatments annually with over 60 state-of-the-art linear accelerators, making the combined group the largest independent cancer care provider in Europe.

Founded in 2010, Amethyst operates one of Europe’s most established networks of oncology and radiotherapy treatment centres across France, Poland, Romania, the UK, Italy, Portugal, and Austria. Stingray, founded in 2017 by Jacobs Capital and CEO Ralph Hefti, has developed a strong presence in France and Germany, Europe’s two largest radiotherapy markets, through its distinctive doctor partnership model and commitment to clinical excellence.

The merger will significantly strengthen the group’s footprint in Western and Central Europe, enhance its clinical expertise, and provide a robust foundation for continued investment in advanced treatment technologies, research, and innovation. Both Amethyst and Stingray will maintain their local identities while leveraging shared expertise and best practices to deliver world-class care.

Ralph Hefti, Founding CEO of Stingray and incoming CEO of the enlarged group, commented:

“This marks a pivotal moment for our teams and patients across Europe. By combining the complementary strengths of Stingray and Amethyst, we are creating a truly pan-European platform with the scale and capability to transform cancer care. Together, we are uniting outstanding clinicians, cutting-edge technology, and a shared vision to make high-quality oncology treatment more accessible to patients everywhere.”

Edward Chandler, Founding Partner at Fremman Capital added:

“This is a transformational moment for cancer care in Europe. By bringing together two highly complementary organisations, we are creating the scale, quality, and reach needed to improve access to state of the art oncology treatment across the continent. We look forward to supporting Ralph and his team in building Europe’s leading independent cancer care platform. ”

About Amethyst Healthcare

Founded in 2010, Amethyst Healthcare is the largest private provider of Radiotherapy services in Europe, delivering next generation (non-surgical) oncology treatment across the international Cancer Care market in Austria, France, Italy, Poland, Romania and the UK, operating 21 specialist centres, comprising 34 Linear Accelerators (Linacs) and two Gamma Knife Radiosurgery centers.

About Stingray Healthcare

Founded in 2017, Stingray Healthcare is an alliance of medical professionals, healthcare managers, and entrepreneurs dedicated to advancing cancer care, operating 10 radiotherapy and Gamma Knife centres in Germany and France. Through a distinctive doctor partnership model, Stingray supports established practices with financial resources and strategic expertise to deliver the highest quality of care to patients. Learn more at Stingray-healthcare.com

About Fremman Capital

Fremman is a pan-European, mid-market investment firm with offices in London, Madrid, Paris, Munich, Milan, and Luxembourg. Founded in 2020, Fremman partners with successful founders and management teams to transform businesses from local champions to multinational sustainable leaders. Learn more at fremman.com

For media inquiries, please contact: Sophie Ward, Amethyst Healthcare [email protected]

amethyst porto

Amethyst Healthcare Launches Portugal Presence

Amethyst Healthcare, one of the leading providers of advanced radiotherapy and integrated cancer care in Europe, has announced that it has now established a firm presence in Portugal, following the acquisition of private Portuguese radiotherapy provider Júlio Teixeira.

This strategic move will ensure that people in Portugal are better able to enjoy even greater access to radiotherapy cancer care.

New Radiotherapy Centres

In an exclusive interview with Healthcare Business International, Amethyst CEO Stéphane Carré explained that the acquisition of Júlio Teixeira will add to Amethyst’s ever-expanding clinical network and increase the number of patients treated by the group each year by approximately 3,000.

Júlio Teixeira clinics are located in Porto, partnered within CUF, the leading private healthcare hub in northern Portugal, and a second centre in Braga.

Mr Carré said: “The Portuguese market is relatively small compared to others in Europe, but it is a well organised and well administrated one. Since I first joined Amethyst, we’ve been interested in entering the market, it was just a matter of identifying the right opportunity. 

“I genuinely believe acquiring Júlio Teixeira was the best opportunity we could have found to enter the market. The centres enjoy a very strong reputation; they’re really considered to be among the best centres in radiotherapy.” 

CyberKnife

An important milestone of this acquisition is that the clinic in Porto features CyberKnife, the only one in the country, with Mr Carré noting that this integration will enhance Amethyst’s treatment offering and deliver “valuable expertise and knowledge” that can be leveraged across the wider group.

The hope now is that this move will enable further expansion in Portugal, with other potential acquisition targets now under consideration in the main cities and the south of the country.

Amethyst Healthcare Announces Júlio Teixeira to Join Amethyst Network

Amethyst Healthcare Announces Júlio Teixeira to Join Amethyst Network

Lisbon / Porto / Braga – 6th October, 2025

Amethyst Healthcare today announces the acquisition of Júlio Teixeira, a well-established provider of radiotherapy services operating in Porto and Braga. This acquisition forms part of Amethyst’s strategic expansion in Western Europe and will strengthen the Group’s capacity to deliver advanced radiotherapy care in Portugal.

Júlio Teixeira will continue to provide uninterrupted patient care while its clinical and operational teams are integrated into Amethyst’s governance and quality frameworks. The acquisition gives access to pan-European clinical best practice, structured professional development, and targeted capital investment to support ongoing service expansion. Amethyst was supported on the transaction by Finantia, (Narciso Melo), CMS Portugal, (Francisco Xavier de Almeida), PwC Financial Due Diligence (Luís Boquinhas) and LEK Commercial Due diligence (Jacqueline Thompson).

“Today we formalise an important step in our commitment to improve access to high-quality radiotherapy,” said Stéphane Carré, Chief Executive Officer, Amethyst Healthcare. “Our priority is maintaining continuity of care for patients, supporting staff through the transition, and investing in the services and infrastructure to build on clinical excellence across these centres.”

Amethyst Healthcare will work closely with local teams and regulatory authorities to ensure a smooth transition and to preserve the clinical excellence Júlio Teixeira has delivered to its patients for decades.

 

<< ENDS >>

 

About Amethyst Healthcare

Founded in 2010, Amethyst Healthcare is the largest private provider of Radiotherapy services in Europe treating over 50,000 patients a year. It operates some of the highest volume Linear Accelerators (Linacs) in Europe, with 220 patients a day treated in its high-volume centers; equivalent to +70 patients per Linac per day; bringing treatment times to eight minutes per treatment fraction. This is double the typical Linac utilization.

Amethyst delivers next generation (non-surgical) oncology treatment across the international Cancer Care market in Austria, France, Italy, Poland, Romania and the UK, operating 17 specialist centres, comprising 34 Linear Accelerators (Linacs) and two Gamma Knife Radiosurgery centers.

 

About Júlio Teixera

Júlio Teixeira S.A. is a leading private provider of radiotherapy in Portugal with treatment centers in Porto and Brag. Founded in 1994 by Dr Júlio Teixeira, one of Portugal most respected radiation oncologists. Its multidisciplinary team of radiation oncologists, physicists and specialized nurses deliver a full range of advanced therapies, including IMRT, Cyberknife and brachytherapy.

 


For media inquiries, please contact: Sophie Ward, Amethyst Healthcare [email protected]

Amethyst Radiotherapy Austria and IASO Health GmbH Partner to Expand Cross-Border Access to Advanced Cancer Care

Amethyst Austria and IASO‑Health Partner to Expand Cancer Care Across Borders

Vienna, Austria / Bad Ragaz, Switzerland – July 16, 2025

Amethyst Radiotherapy Austria , part of the Amethyst Healthcare Group, has entered into a new partnership with IASO‑Health GmbH , a Swiss-based integrative medicine provider led by CEO and Founder Bruno Rosset. This collaboration strengthens cross-border oncology pathways, giving IASO‑Health patients direct access to cutting-edge radiotherapy at Amethyst’s center in the prestigious Wiener Privatklinik in Vienna.

Precision Radiotherapy Meets Integrative Oncology

At the heart of the Vienna center is the Elekta Versa HD linear accelerator, a world-class system offering highly accurate and personalised treatment. The center delivers:

  • External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)
  • Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT)
  • Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT)
  • Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Radiotherapy (SRT) for millimeter-level precision

Complemented by Cone-Beam CT, HexaPOD 6D couch, multileaf collimators, and in-vivo dose monitoring, the center ensures maximum targeting accuracy with minimal impact on surrounding healthy tissue.

Through this collaboration, IASO‑Health patients — many already receiving dendritic cell-based immunotherapy — will benefit from prioritised access, seamless scheduling, and coordinated treatment planning across Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.

 

Bruno Rosset, CEO & Founder of IASO‑Health:
“This partnership allows us to combine innovative immunotherapy with Amethyst Austria’s advanced radiotherapy, creating a truly integrated patient experience.”

Paul Stuchetz, Managing Director, Amethyst Radiotherapy Austria:
“Since opening in 2020, our center has remained committed to precision oncology. This partnership strengthens that mission by offering faster, high-quality access for IASO‑Health patients.”

Dr. David Kuczer, Clinical Lead and Partner Radiation Oncologist:
“Our expertise in stereotactic and modulated therapies is enhanced by this collaboration. We’re proud to support IASO‑Health patients with world-class technology and holistic care coordination.”

 

Aligned with Amethyst Healthcare Group’s European Vision

This partnership reflects Amethyst Healthcare Group’s broader strategy to foster international collaborations that improve cancer treatment accessibility and quality. By supporting regionally led partnerships like this, the Group continues to deliver patient-centred oncology care across borders.

 


Media contact: [email protected]

Amethyst Healthcare Group Supports World Radiotherapy Day 2025

World Radiotherapy Awareness Day: Raising One Voice for Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is a cornerstone of cancer care. It plays a vital role in controlling disease, relieving symptoms, and improving outcomes for patients across the world. Despite its clinical effectiveness and cost-efficiency, access to radiotherapy remains unequal—particularly in low-resource regions—and wider public awareness of its benefits continues to fall short.

 

In response to this global challenge, the international oncology community has launched World Radiotherapy Awareness Day (WRAD) – a new initiative to promote greater visibility for radiotherapy, address inequalities in access, and encourage collaboration across healthcare systems and borders.

 

As a pan-European provider of radiotherapy services, Amethyst Healthcare Group supports this timely and necessary campaign. WRAD was formally introduced during London Global Cancer Week 2024, where Amethyst Radiotherapy UK participated as one of several healthcare organisations contributing to the event. We are proud to be listed among the contributing representatives on the official WRAD website, reflecting our shared commitment to promoting awareness, education, and access in the field of radiotherapy.

 

The Aim of WRAD

World Radiotherapy Awareness Day was created to bring together professionals, advocates, and institutions around a common goal: to ensure radiotherapy is fully recognised and supported as a vital component of cancer care. While it is widely used and clinically proven, radiotherapy remains underrepresented in national cancer plans, policy frameworks, and funding priorities.

WRAD seeks to change that, with four key objectives:

  • Raising awareness of radiotherapy’s essential role in modern oncology
  • Promoting equity in access to safe, effective radiotherapy worldwide
  • Encouraging investment in infrastructure, workforce development, and innovation
  • Uniting stakeholders through a coordinated global advocacy platform

The campaign’s guiding theme “One Voice for Radiotherapy” will shape outreach and engagement over the next three years.

 

A Collaborative Launch at London Global Cancer Week

WRAD was officially launched in November 2024 at Conway Hall, London, a venue with historic ties to UK healthcare. The event brought together global health leaders, clinicians, advocates, professional societies, and industry partners to shape the campaign’s vision.

Amethyst Radiotherapy UK was pleased to attend and support the launch, marking the start of a global initiative to elevate radiotherapy’s profile. Our inclusion among WRAD contributors reflects Amethyst Healthcare Group’s broader commitment to quality, innovation, and patient-focused care.

Notable contributions included Solomon Kibudde of the Uganda Cancer Institute, speaking on behalf of African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), who underscored the urgent need to reduce disparities in radiotherapy access and highlighted WRAD’s potential as a unifying platform for progress. With over 800 participants joining both in person and online, the launch helped define WRAD’s identity, resources, and international engagement strategy.

 

Looking Ahead to September 2025

The first official World Radiotherapy Awareness Day will be observed on 7 September 2025, commemorating the day the first patient was treated using a linear accelerator.

In the months leading up to this date, the WRAD campaign will focus on:

  • Launching a dedicated website and social media channels
  • Providing toolkits and educational materials for institutions and clinicians
  • Expanding engagement through key conferences and awareness events

WRAD is envisioned as a long-term, inclusive initiative – encouraging participation from across the oncology spectrum, including healthcare providers, researchers, patient groups, policymakers, and industry leaders.

 

What This Means for Amethyst Healthcare Group

At Amethyst Healthcare Group, our vision is to help patients fight cancer through the integration of expert-led treatment, state-of-the-art radiotherapy, and truly personalised care. With a presence across Europe, we combine technological excellence with local expertise to deliver safe, timely, and compassionate oncology services. Our support for World Radiotherapy Awareness Day reflects this commitment. WRAD aligns with our mission to raise awareness, reduce disparities, and advance equitable access to high-quality cancer care. By joining this global initiative, we reaffirm our values: patient-centricity, clinical innovation, public partnership, and an unwavering dedication to improving outcomes across the cancer pathway.

 

Your Voice Matters

World Radiotherapy Awareness Day is a global call to action—bringing together clinicians, organisations, and communities to highlight the value of radiotherapy in cancer treatment.

To get involved, visit www.worldradiotherapy.org and sign up for campaign updates and resources. Save the date: 7 September 2025, and join us in supporting the campaign to raise One Voice for Radiotherapy.

Future of Neurosurgery with AI - Mr Patrick Grover on the Future Medicine AI

AI in Neurosurgery: Insights from Mr Patrick Grover

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is accelerating rapidly, with market size growing by 233% between 2020 and 2023 – and projections suggesting a further 40% increase by the end of 2025.

While many specialties such as diagnostics, genomics, and patient monitoring have integrated AI at pace, neurosurgery – known for its complexity and critical precision – has historically adopted a more cautious approach.

That is beginning to change. A new wave of AI research is addressing longstanding surgical challenges, from planning and technique refinement to intraoperative guidance and outcome prediction.

Clinical Leadership at Queen Square

Leading this progress is Mr Patrick Grover, Consultant Neurosurgeon and Clinical Director at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and the Queen Square Radiosurgery Centre in London. His work focuses on integrating AI technologies into daily neurosurgical practice to improve outcomes and support more personalised care pathways.

In a recent podcast with Future Medicine AI, Mr Grover discussed how AI is already influencing clinical decision-making, enhancing surgical training and advancing the planning of individualised treatments.

Where AI Is Making an Impact

Mr Grover’s current research is focused on three key areas where AI systems are showing clinical value:

  • Natural language processing: To extract insights from large volumes of clinical documentation and support individualised care planning.
  • Computer vision for operative video analysis: Helping to interpret intraoperative footage, identify surgical steps, and support technical education.
  • Medical imaging and radiomics: Used in planning treatments such as Gamma Knife radiosurgery, including tumour contouring and predicting post-treatment outcomes.

These innovations are not theoretical—they’re being actively developed, validated, and refined in clinical settings with the aim of improving both outcomes and efficiency.

To explore these topics in more depth, watch the full podcast with Mr Patrick Grover below:

Balancing Innovation and Oversight

As AI capabilities expand, Mr Grover underscores the continued need for clinical oversight, transparency and accountability. Outputs must be not only accurate but also explainable. In neurosurgery, understanding the reasoning behind recommendations is essential to safe and effective practice.

He also highlights the importance of shared research frameworks and data protocols that enable progress to be replicated and scaled across different institutions and healthcare systems.

Looking Ahead

Beyond today’s applications, Mr Grover and his team are investigating future-facing technologies like robotic surgical assistance and brain-computer interfaces – each offering potential for greater intraoperative precision. However, these too must follow rigorous pathways of validation and integration.

A Shared Vision at Amethyst

Mr Grover’s work echoes Amethyst Healthcare‘s broader commitment to precision medicine and responsible innovation. As AI moves from promise to practice, Amethyst remains dedicated to supporting clinicians with tools that deliver safer, faster, and more personalised care -always with the patient at the centre.

Serbian Media Lepa & Srecna Feature Amethyst Radiotherapy Austria

Amethyst Radiotherapy Featured On Serbian News Platform

Serbian news platform Lepa & Srecna has published a feature about Amethyst Radiotherapy Austria and the work the group is doing to help patients along their breast cancer journey, showcasing innovative radiotherapy treatments that are successful in treating malignant tumours without damaging the surrounding healthy breast tissue.

Working in this way means that full breast amputation is likely to be unnecessary, reassuring for the thousands of women in Serbia who are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. 

A Precise and Patient-Friendly Approach

As the news source reports, 4,447 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed annually and, sadly, nearly 1,700 people succumb to it each year.

At Amethyst, high-dose radiation is precisely targeted at cancerous tissue. This technique damages the DNA of cancer cells and restricts their blood supply, preventing further growth and allowing the body to break them down naturally.

This targeted method means breast-conserving treatment is possible, avoiding the need for full breast removal. Radiotherapy also eliminates microscopic tumor remnants, helping prevent recurrence. The treatment is non-invasive, painless, and scar-free, making it an attractive option for many women.

Thanks to ongoing technological advancements, modern radiotherapy now offers heart and implant protection and significantly shortened treatment durations. Most patients complete therapy in 5 to 20 sessions over 1 to 4 weeks, with individual sessions lasting just ten minutes.

Addressing Fears Through Communication

Amethyst radiation oncologist Dr David Kuczer told the news source: “Women are often afraid of radiotherapy due to concerns about side effects, treatment effectiveness and unknown aspects of the procedure, which is especially pronounced before the first session. 

“These fears can include potential long-term side effects, the risk of incomplete healing and the possibility of becoming radioactive. It is important to remember that, although fears about radiotherapy are common, many women find that the actual experience is much better than their initial expectations. 

“Open communication, accurate information and personalised care can go a long way in overcoming these fears.”

Here for You Every Step of the Way

Amethyst Radiotherapy prides itself on providing personalised treatments tailored to the individual, with treatment plans tailored to address specific needs, helping to reduce uncertainty about the path ahead and alleviating any anxiety and concerns. 

To find out more, get in touch with the team today.

amethyst radiotherapy

Amethyst Radiotherapy Featured On E-Klinika Platform

Serbian medical platform e-Klinika has just featured an interview with Dr Paul Stuchetz, the director of the Amethyst Radiotherapy Centre, a leading private practice based in Vienna, Austria, and which specialises in the provision of oncology radiotherapy services.

About the Amethyst Group

The Amethyst Group was first established some 15 years ago and has gone on to launch 16 centres in six different European countries: the UK, Romania, Poland, Italy, France and Austria. It treats more than 40,000 cancer patients annually, using radiotherapy to tackle various different forms of the disease.

A Unique Approach to Patient Care

Speaking to the news source, Dr Stuchetz explained that the facility embraces an interdisciplinary approach to healthcare, which is why it stands out as a centre of excellence in the field of radiation oncology, coupled with its commitment to innovation and quality in diagnostics and treatment, as well as prioritising patient wellbeing and comfort.

Safe and Structured Care for International Patients

Providing healthcare for patients from abroad involves following a precisely defined and structured procedure to ensure full regulatory compliance and medical safety, as well as a safe and efficient patient experience.

A team of medical experts come together to look at each individual case, including oncologists, physicists, radiation therapists and surgeons. Integrative therapies and psychological support are also available, with the goal being to make patients feel good both during and after treatment, supporting their general quality of life.

Dr Stuchetz said: “I think the most important message is that patients can give us their trust. We have an individual approach to each patient, which is what we are particularly oriented towards. Also, at Amethyst, they will be in safe hands, because only highly qualified doctors and specialists who have access to the latest medical achievements work with us.”

 


Support for Serbian Patients

For Serbian patients interested in finding out more about how the centre could help them throughout their cancer journey, Dr Stuchetz advised them to get in touch with associate Maja Zakarija (+381 63 388 546), who will be able to provide them with all the necessary support in their native language.

 

Learn more about our advanced radiotherapy and neurosurgical treatments for different cancers on the Amethyst Group website.

Amethyst Radiotherapy Austrai David on Precision Tumour Care

Inside Amethyst Austria: Innovation and Compassion in Cancer Care

As part of the Amethyst Healthcare Group, Amethyst Radiotherapy Austria plays a vital role in delivering personalised, non-invasive cancer care across Central Europe. Based within Vienna’s prestigious Wiener Privatklinik (WPK), the centre reflects our Group-wide values: clinical precision, compassionate delivery, and accessible pathways to care.

 

To mark WPK’s 30th anniversary, Dr David, Clinical Lead at Amethyst Austria, joined the celebrations to share insights into how the centre is advancing modern cancer treatment. In this special interview, he reflects on our mission and how we leverage advanced radiosurgery to support patient wellbeing.

 

Watch Dr David share our clinical approach and patient philosophy below.

 

What Sets Amethyst Austria Apart

Amethyst Austria specialises in stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)—a technique that uses highly focused radiation to treat tumours with millimetre-level accuracy. This non-invasive alternative to surgery eliminates the need for incisions, hospital stays, or extended recovery time.

In the interview, Dr David highlights four pillars that underpin our clinical approach:

  • Pinpoint Accuracy
    We use high-resolution imaging technologies—including MRI, CT, and PET scans—to localise tumours with exceptional precision.
  • Non-Invasive Delivery
    Using the Elekta Versa HD linear accelerator, we deliver targeted radiation directly to the tumour site without affecting surrounding healthy tissue.
  • Rapid Access
    Patients benefit from minimal waiting times, with same-day consultations and streamlined treatment planning.
  • Tailored Pathways
    Each patient receives an individualised treatment plan, aligned with their specific diagnosis and health needs.

 

A Group-Wide Commitment to Excellence in Care

Across all Amethyst centres, our core mission remains the same: to provide timely, evidence-based, and compassionate cancer care using the most effective radiotherapy techniques available.

Amethyst Austria brings this philosophy to life by offering precise, non-invasive treatments in a calm, supportive, and professional setting. The centre exemplifies our belief that advanced technology should always be paired with genuine human care.

By continuously refining our techniques and embracing innovation, we help patients regain control, maintain quality of life, and move forward with confidence.

Amethyst CEO Discusses New Partnership And Future Plans

Amethyst Healthcare CEO, Stéphane Carré, has spoken to Healthcare Business International about the company’s new partnership with Fremman Capital, a European private equity firm. 

Amethyst were founded in Romania 15 years ago, and have since expanded throughout Europe to provide private radiation therapy, chemotherapy, brachytherapy, and supportive therapies to cancer and brain tumour patients. 

Carré discusses the future direction that Amethyst will take, including a more holistic approach to cover every stage of the care pathway, and also the future investment and expansion plans. Here’s a look at the main points of his interview.

The Fremman Capital partnership

Carré explains that the deal with Fremman Capital was agreed after almost 12 months of negotiations. 

He commented: “From our first conversations with Fremman in June last year, it was clear we were closely aligned, both in Amethyst’s growth potential and the strategic direction we’ve taken since I joined. Fremman quickly stood out as the right partner in terms of scale, strategic alignment, and operational support.”

The future direction of Amethyst

Expanding Access to Cancer Care Across and Beyond Europe

Carré made it clear that Amethyst is keen to expand the therapies and services it offers, as well as establish new treatment centres in Europe. Currently, the company operates 17 centres across six European countries, and treats over 50,000 patients each year. In countries such as the UK and France, it collaborates with public healthcare providers. 

Germany is seen as a priority country to expand to, and Europe will remain the centre of their operations. However, Carré explained that the company will continue to work to widen access to patients from outside Europe, particularly those from areas of the world that are currently underserved by radiation therapy services, such as parts of Africa and the Gulf. 

Prioritising patient-centred care

Amethyst is planning to widen its focus to include pre and post-treatment services, such as counselling and nutritional support. Another key strategy is expanding provisions into chemotherapy and diagnostic services. Such a joined-up approach can speed up treatment times and provide a more transparent and reassuring experience for patients. 

Carré commented: “Our aim is to support patients from the earliest stage of diagnosis right through to the end of treatment. And even beyond that we offer post-treatment services such as psychological counselling and generic advice, both of which are crucial to patient wellbeing.”

The role of technology and AI in future treatments

Amethyst is committed to investing in cutting-edge technologies that will keep the company at the forefront of cancer and brain tumour treatment. These include using AI and digital tools to create more personalised treatment plans and improve digital efficiencies. 

Carré explains: “AI enables us to tailor treatment plans to each individual — each tumour, each case. We’re already using AI during treatment planning and the contouring phase. As you may know, radiotherapy consists of three main stages: planning, tumour contouring, and treatment delivery.”

The Amethyst patient app

The Amethyst patient app is currently in development, and it will allow patients to take ownership of their care journey and help them to understand their specific condition in a clear and user-friendly way. Ultimately, this will build a ‘one point of contact’ model and deliver a more unified and accessible patient experience. 

AI to support image analysis

Tumour contouring, the process of analysing MRI scans to precisely map the location, size and shape of a tumour, is a very time intensive process and can be subject to human error and the vagaries of human interpretation. This can be particularly the case for brain tumours that do not have well defined boundaries, or multiple small tumours are present.

AI automation has shown to provide more consistent results, reducing instances of variabilities and oversights. This allows for a more time efficient approach, and a more precise delivery of radiation to the tumour cells, reducing the risk of complications and side effects. 

The use of AI tools is also being explored for delivering the effective and accurate radiation dose to the tumour cells, minimising the risk of damage to the surrounding tissues. Furthermore, research is ongoing into treating conditions beyond tumours, such as Parkinson’s disease and certain psychiatric disorders. 

Public-Private Partnerships

Carré emphasised the importance of consolidation in the radiotherapy market, as well as the company’s intention to strengthen public-private partnerships (PPPs) in its future healthcare strategy. 

He points out that high-quality cancer care requires significant investment, and as public healthcare budgets are currently under strain with little sign of improvement, he regards PPPs as essential to meet future demand. This is why PPPs will remain an important element of Amethyst’s growth strategy.

Carré comments: “We help public facilities increase their treatment capacity, modernise equipment, and improve access. In countries like France, if a public hospital can’t treat a minimum number of patients annually, it risks losing its licence. By operating on their behalf, we help them maintain accreditation, treat more patients, and enhance care.”

“It’s an innovative model that’s still underutilised in Europe and we’re committed to playing a leading role in its development.”

The future of cancer care

As we are faced with an ageing population, an increase in unhealthy lifestyle habits, and improved diagnostics leading to more cancer patients at an earlier age, the demand for world-class cancer care services is highly likely to increase in the future.