EDAP TMS Reports Significant Success In The United Kingdom

LYON, France, March 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EDAP TMS S.A. , the global leader in high intensity focused ultrasound treatment of localized prostate cancer, today announced significant growth in sites offering Ablatherm(R)-HIFU treatment in the United Kingdom. Since its formal launch at Guy's Hospital in December, the number of sites having access to Ablatherm-HIFU has increased from three to 13 throughout the U.K. The company's U.K. partners, Sigmacon and Mobile HIFU(TM), are experiencing strong interest and rapid growth, especially around the London population center.

Dr. Ranjan Thilagarajah of Essex Urology Group stated, "HIFU treatment for prostate cancer has enabled patients to have a curative, non-operative procedure as a day case with minimal disruption to their daily lives. As a urologist, I have found it straightforward, safe and rewarding to perform, with good results."

Prostate cancer is the leading cancer among U.K. men with more than 35,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Statistics estimate that one man with prostate cancer dies every hour in the UK. Increasing awareness and testing is leading to a larger percentage of early detection while the disease is still localized, making HIFU therapy with the Ablatherm-HIFU a viable treatment choice. Increasing demands from patients to minimize negative implications to their quality of life, which are often significant under traditional therapies, are furthering interest in Ablatherm-HIFU treatment once patients and their doctors become aware of its availability.

Dr. Declan Cahill of Guy's Hospital in London, stated, "Patient satisfaction is very high. We have had a significant increase in inquiries concerning Ablatherm-HIFU in recent weeks. Patients definitely like the treatment option that EDAP's Ablatherm-HIFU is offering."

John Stent, a patient treated by Ablatherm, said of his experience, "I am ecstatic! I had my HIFU procedure with the Ablatherm in the afternoon and went home the next day catheter free. Within a couple of days I was completely able to resume my normal life."

"We are seeing strong interest from the UK urology community in offering Ablatherm-HIFU as a treatment choice because of its clear history of successful outcomes with minimal side effects and recovery periods as compared to other therapeutic choices," said Hugues de Bantel, Chief Executive Officer of EDAP. "EDAP, the clinical sites and our partners in the UK are building awareness throughout the UK based upon our unique clinical efficacy and safety features. When doctors and patients are able to learn about the benefits of Ablatherm-HIFU, review our clinical data accumulated over eight years with multi-center studies and study the potential side effects of traditional treatments, many are electing to pursue treatment at an Ablatherm-HIFU center as a first choice knowing it is highly effective but does not preclude any other available intervention if their cancer is more aggressive."

EDAP is continuing to add new sites throughout the UK as well as train urologists at its existing Centers of Excellence throughout Europe. The comprehensive training protocols allow doctors to treat side-by-side with highly experienced practitioners to expedite the learning process. Additionally, Ablatherm experts are available on site when a new clinical site is opened to complete the training program and provide support to the doctors and site in launching service.

"EDAP is dedicated to educating the physicians and patients about the facts of Ablatherm so they can make an informed choice about the best treatment protocol in each individual's situation," said de Bantel. "We are pleased to offer a treatment methodology that offers the best possible quality of life as well as effective treatment of the prostate cancer and will continue to advance these education efforts in the future. We will continue to participate in conferences and symposia regarding urology issues and contribute wherever requested to the education and awareness efforts being directed toward men in the UK by many excellent organizations dedicated to improving the lives and health of men at risk of prostate cancer."

EDAP will be participating actively in the UK Prostate Cancer Awareness Week scheduled March 26-April 1, 2006, including support of numerous efforts by charitable advocacy and awareness groups dedicated to prostate cancer education programs.

Prospective patients and urologists seeking more information can learn about the benefits of Ablatherm-HIFU online at http://www.edap-hifu.com/ including contact information for centers offering treatment under the Patients section link "Where To Be Treated."

Ablatherm-HIFU has been successfully treating patients suffering from a recurrence of prostate cancer after prior radiation treatment. While studies show a wide range of results, post-radiation recurrence can be as high as 45 percent. Such patients have limited options and are not eligible for further radiation or other more invasive treatments. Ablatherm-HIFU is shown to be successful in European studies of re-treatment cases for locally recurrent prostate cancer.

Ablatherm-HIFU has more than eight years of patient follow-up data including multi-center studies demonstrating highly reproducible outcomes at various sites. Ablatherm-HIFU technology was developed and perfected in Europe with more than 9,000 clinical treatments to date. European studies have shown that as a curative option Ablatherm-HIFU has had success rates up to 93 percent with up to five years of follow-up. Ablatherm-HIFU can be repeated and does not exclude patients from undergoing other treatment options if their cancer recurs. While the technology does not currently have United States FDA approval, clinical trials are beginning.

Ablatherm-HIFU is a non-invasive, precise and targeted procedure that delivers a beam of high intensity focused ultrasound to the prostate. Under spinal anesthesia, the Ablatherm-HIFU probe is placed into the rectum through which the focused ultrasound waves are directed into the cancerous prostate tissue without damage to the intervening tissue. This causes a rapid rise in temperature inside the prostate cells to 85 degrees Celsius destroying the cancerous cells. The procedure is completed in approximately two hours without blood loss or exposure to radiation.

About EDAP TMS S.A.

EDAP TMS S.A. develops and markets Ablatherm(R), the most advanced and clinically proven choice for High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) treatment of localized prostate cancer. HIFU treatment is shown to be a minimally invasive and effective treatment option with a low occurrence of side effects. The company is also developing this technology for the treatment of certain other types of tumors. EDAP TMS S.A. also produces and commercializes medical equipment for treatment of urinary tract stones using Extra-corporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL).

For more information on the Company, contact the Investor Relations Dept. by phone at +33 4 78 26 40 46, or see the Company's Web site at: http://www.edap-tms.com .

This press release contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These include statements regarding the Company's growth and expansion plans. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Ablatherm-HIFU treatment is not yet FDA approved or marketed in the United States.

CONTACT: EDAP TMS S.A. Hugues de Bantel - Philippe Chauveau Blandine Confort +33 4 78 26 40 46 Halliburton Investor Relations Matt Kreps - Geralyn DeBusk 972 458 8000

EDAP TMS S.A.

CONTACT: Hugues de Bantel, Philippe Chauveau or Blandine Confort, all ofEDAP TMS S.A., +33-4-78-26-40-46; or Matt Kreps or Geralyn DeBusk, both ofHalliburton Investor Relations, +1-972-458-8000, for EDAP TMS S.A.

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