IMPAC Medical System

In 1990, in a classic Silicon Valley garage in Fremont, three colleagues from Varian Medical Systems—David Auerbach, Jay Hoey, and Joseph K. Jachinowski—embarked on a new venture. They founded IMPAC Medical Systems to create specialized software for a field they knew well: oncology. Their goal was to develop integrated systems to manage the clinical and administrative sides of cancer care, a move driven by the shift from minicomputers to PCs. The company grew rapidly, providing a comprehensive electronic medical record and management software for oncology, covering everything from patient charting to billing. This focus on a specific, complex area of healthcare allowed them to become a leader in the North American market. A significant milestone was reached in 2002 when IMPAC went public on the NASDAQ under the ticker IMPC. The ultimate chapter for the independent company was written in 2005. The Swedish medical technology company Elekta announced its intention to acquire IMPAC for approximately $250 million, a deal that was finalized in April of that year. The acquisition was a strategic move for Elekta, allowing it to integrate IMPAC's leading software with its own radiation therapy equipment, creating a more comprehensive cancer care solution. IMPAC then became a wholly-owned subsidiary, continuing its operations under the Elekta umbrella.