Our Story | 50 Years Hope & Innovation | Cancer Care | Elekta

50 years of innovation and beyond

Building hope

Founded by Lars and Laurent Leksell in 1972, we have dedicated ourselves to pioneering advances in cancer care and the treatment of brain disorders.

Today, we are over 4,500 people working towards a world where everyone has access to the best cancer care.

This is our story.

Our story

The Early Years

1972 - 1986

A Company Grows Up

1986 - 1993

Important Turns

1994 - 2005

A Modern Approach

2005 - 2022

In memory

2023
1972

The Early Years

Learn about the early years of Elekta between 1972 & 1986. Including the invention of Leksell Gamma Knife to treat brain cancer by Lars Leksell & its impact.

1973

Surgeon and inventor: Lars Leksell's brilliant mind

Explore the brilliance of surgeon and inventor Lars Leksell. Discover his groundbreaking innovations that reshaped medicine. Learn more about Leksell’s work.

1974

Disciples spreading the word

Learn more about the early years at Elekta & the environment that Lars Leksell nurtured at the Seraphim Hospital & the Karolinska Institute during 1972 & 1986.

1976

The knife in media

Explore Elekta's journey since 1972, pioneering non-invasive brain surgery & cancer treatment. Learn how our vision became reality. Find out more here.

1986

A Company Grows Up

Learn how Elekta worked with healthcare providers globally to bring a new hope to cancer patients with Gamma Knife. Discover our story between 1986 - 1993.

1987

Entering the US market

Entering the US market was a do or die move for Elekta. Learn about our story in 1986 - 1993 & how we established ourselves for cancer care in the US.

1988

Big in Japan

Discover details about Elekta's introduction to the Japanese market & learn about our cancer treatment developments between 1986 & 1993. Read more here.

1989

A gate to China

Read about our success in Japan during the 1990's & the introduction of our Asian HQ in Hong Kong. Learn about our developments in cancer treatment.

1991

Members only

By encouraging the growing number of believers to develop & spread the word, we convinced the world of the excellence of Leksell Gamma Knife. Read more.

1994

Important Turns

Read about the history of Elekta & our story between 1994 - 2005. Learn about our developments in cancer care treatment for people across the world.

1995

Míša the bear—a sunshine story

Discover Míša the bear's heartwarming journey from a seriously ill boy in 1990s Czechoslovakia to a symbol of hope with the life-saving Elekta Gamma Knife.

1997

The “Crawley Acquisition” of 1997

Discover Elekta's radiation therapy journey since the '97 Crawley Acquisition. From risky beginnings to essential technology. Explore more information today.

2005

A Modern Approach

A modern approach to cancer care, find out more about how Elekta's past has shaped its vision for the future, providing hope for those dealing with cancer

2006

The IMPAC acquisition

In January 2005, Elekta acquired oncology software company IMPAC. Read about our story from 2005 - 2022 & learn about our cancer treatment developments.

2010

Moving inside the body

Learn about the Elekta story from 2005 - 2022, including our new business area - Brachy Solutions. Discover more about introduction of this cancer treatment.

2023

In memory of Danny Leksell (1950 – 2023)

Dan Leksell, one of Elekta’s founding fathers, recently passed away at the age of 73.

In memory of Dan, 1950 - 2023

Dr. Dan “Danny” Leksell

Dr. Dan Leksell, one of Elekta’s founding fathers, passed away at the age of 73.

Three years ago, he sat down with Anders Sjöman from the Centre for Business History to provide background for Elekta’s 50-year anniversary. It became a conversation about so much more. Here’s an edited version of that conversation.