ProNova Solutions announced last week that it chose Alcoa, Tenn., to locate a headquarters facility as well as a research and commercialization laboratory.
The company will invest $50 million and create 525 new positions.
ProNova Solutions, in coordination with Provision Health Alliance, is developing next-generation proton therapy technology to treat cancer. Proton therapy benefits include a significant decrease in tissue damage, decrease in debilitating side effects and a decrease in secondary cancers from unnecessary radiation exposure, which brings the potential for patient cost savings by decreasing these complications.
“This is an important milestone for ProNova Solutions that signifies not only the next step in the advancement of proton technology, but it’s also an important investment in the Blount County community,” said Dr. Terry Douglass, Chairman of ProNova Solutions. “With the Provision Center for Proton Therapy located in Knoxville and now the ProNova site in Alcoa, this is truly a regional effort and one we hope will benefit not only the citizens of East Tennessee, but that it will bring the next innovation in cancer treatment to patients and physicians across the globe.”
ProNova’s proton therapy system is called the ProNovaSC360, and the first systems will ship in 2015. Features include 3D anatomical and functional imaging at the isocenter, 360 degree treatment of the patient and an efficient workflow that mimics traditional radiation therapy.
Becoming the anchor tenant at the Pellissippi Place technology research and development park, ProNova will construct two facilities on 26 acres in phases over the next few years. The first phase consists of a 30,000 square foot two-story office and research building with a 40,000 square foot assembly and test area initially supporting 35 employees and growing to 110 by 2015.
Phase two adds a 120,000 square foot two-story building with a projected staff of 110 in 2015 and expanding to a cumulative total of 525 by 2018. A total of nearly 200,000 square feet will be used upon completion of both phases, including approximately 130,000 in office space and 60,000 of commercialization and research space.
“ProNova’s project is more than double the capital investment than the Blount Partnership has made in the park," said Chuck Alexander, chair of Blount Partnership Economic Development Board.
Provision broke ground in April 2012 on a $119 million proton therapy cancer center at Dowell Springs Business Park off Middlebrook Pike in Knoxville. The 90,000 square-foot facility is expected to open in early 2014 and be able to treat 1,000 patients per year. Additionally, the center will be integrated into the research program at the University of Tennessee to train future medical professionals.
“Tennessee is a top 10 state when it comes to research and development expenditures, and we are focused on leveraging our state’s extraordinary R&D assets, commercializing new technologies and growing innovative companies right here in the Volunteer State,” said Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty.
