LYON, France, June 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EDAP TMS S.A. , the global leader in High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) treatment of prostate cancer, continues French progress ahead of reimbursement approval. Ablatherm-HIFU represents now greater than 7% share of localized prostate cancer treatment in the French public health system, with more than 900 patients treated annually and growing.
“Even ahead of reimbursement approval Ablatherm-HIFU is already earning a strong position due to its clinical outcomes and low side effects,” said Pierre Reboul, Director of Sales for France. “EDAP continues its efforts to secure French reimbursement approval under the newly launched national system governing treatment compensation. Reimbursement approval will open the private market, which represents an almost untapped market of about equal size to the public health system, as well as the complete public opportunity. We are seeing early private adoption due to the benefits of Ablatherm in attracting patients to leading centers. Despite the pending reimbursement, we opened two new private sites in the first quarter of 2007 under our EDAP’s RPP program, which again proves Ablatherm-HIFU is ready for full adoption by Urologists.”
“This market share in France demonstrates the potential for Ablatherm in Europe, where we remain committed to our expectation of continental profitability by the end of 2008,” said Marc Oczachowski, CEO of EDAP. “Replicating this market share in European countries served by Ablatherm today would place treatments over 12,000 cases annually in Europe, certainly an achievable goal based on Ablatherm’s demonstrated success and growing adoption.”
In addition, in its June 21, 2007 issue, the well regarded weekly magazine “Le Point” officially reports its annual in-depth study on French Public Hospitals and classifies the fifty most prestigious large French University Hospitals as per their ability to offer the best options in their specialties. Out of these 50 public clinical centers offering therapeutic options to treat prostate cancer, 26 already offer Ablatherm-HIFU on a routine basis and 6 Ablatherm users ranked among the Top 10, including Institut Mutualiste Monsouris, Paris, Edouard Herriot Hospital, Lyon, Rangueil University Hospital, Toulouse, Hopital Foch, Paris, Hopital St Joseph, Marseille, Point-a-Pitre University Hospital, Guadeloupe. No other HIFU devices are listed among the 50 centers.
“With 26 of the top 50 centers already using our technology, this study clearly demonstrates the full recognition of Ablatherm-HIFU as a valid option for prostate cancer among Urologists, whereas only 7 centers are using a brachytherapy option,” commented Oczachowski. “Moreover, this survey being carried out among the most prestigious reference French University Centers, featuring key opinion leaders, definitely grants a scientific and academic recognition of the Ablatherm-HIFU as solution to prostate cancer, despite the therapy not being reimbursed yet. This validation will help to further expand on HIFU business in France and support our efforts on reimbursement.”
About EDAP TMS S.A.
EDAP TMS S.A. develops and markets Ablatherm, 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. Ablatherm-HIFU is generally recommended for patients with localized prostate cancer (stages T1-T2) who are not candidates for surgery or who prefer an alternative option, or for patients who failed radiotherapy treatment. The company is also developing this technology for the potential 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 Magnolia Investor Relations at (972) 801-4900, the Corporate Investor Relations Dept at +33 (0)4 78 26 40 46 or see the Company’s Web sites at http://www.edap-tms.com and http://www.hifu-planet.com.
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In addition to historical information, this press release contains 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 these 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 in clinical trials but not yet FDA approved or marketed in the United States.
CONTACT: EDAP TMS S.A. Magnolia Investor Relations
Blandine Confort Matt Kreps +33 4 78 26 40 46 972 801 4900
EDAP TMS S.A.
CONTACT: Blandine Confort of EDAP TMS S.A., +33-4-78-26-40-46; or MattKreps of Magnolia Investor Relations, +1-972-801-4900, for EDAP TMS S.A.
