TomoTherapy has entered into a preliminary agreement to acquire certain assets of Hi-Art Company, relating to the sales and service of TomoTherapy's products in Japan.

Hi-Art has distributed the TomoTherapy Hi·Art treatment system in Japan since 2004.

Over the next several weeks, TomoTherapy and Hi-Art will negotiate a definitive purchase agreement. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter, at which time the current distribution agreement will cease, according to the Madison, Wis.-based TomoTherapy.

“This move in Japan reflects our commitment to our current and future Japanese customers,” said Fred Robertson, CEO of TomoTherapy.