LYON, France, April 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EDAP TMS S.A. today announced details of a clinical cost analysis comparing the facility, training and human costs associated with treating localized prostate cancer by eight primary therapies. The results were released during a scientific session at the recent European Association of Urology Conference in Paris. The analysis conducted by Dr. Thuroff from Harlaching Hospital in Munich, concluded that Ablatherm-HIFU by EDAP offers clinical sites and hospitals significant potential for cost savings by reducing staff costs in treatment as well as offering increased facility efficiency.
The analysis demonstrated the average treatment time reported in the clinical literature for treatments shows Ablatherm-HIFU treatment time is similar to open surgery and shorter than robotic or laparoscopic surgery, radiation and brachytherapy allowing the clinic to treat more patients in a given period. More recent data from Ablatherm-HIFU sites suggests that times continue to decrease due to new technology introduced in the imaging system.
In addition to the time required to treat patients, the time required to learn a treatment procedure represents a significant investment cost by the medical staff. The analysis showed training regimen for Ablatherm-HIFU, which pairs new practitioners with highly experienced practitioners and applies already well-known basic urology skills, can be accomplished in as little as 10 treatments compared to typical procedural learning curves of 40 treatments for open surgery, up to 200 for laparoscopic surgery, 100 for robotic surgery, cryotherapy and brachytherapy and 40 for high-dose brachytherapy and external radiation
In terms of staff expense required, Ablatherm-HIFU offers substantial advantages by only requiring one doctor, nurse and anesthetist compared to at least two doctors and two or three nurses for the other options according to the presentation. Correlating the staff required with treatment time, Ablatherm-HIFU requires approximately eight man-hours per procedure compared to at least 15 man-hours for other therapies.
Gathering the facility, time and staff costs together, the analysis showed Ablatherm-HIFU represents about 40% of the facility cost of open surgery while treatments such as robotic surgery and brachytherapy can be as much as 200% of the cost of open surgery.
The analysis did not address cost of treatment factors such as recurrence of the cancer requiring additional treatment, the cost of extended hospital stays required under some options, or the costs of treating side effects. The analysis concluded that the total cost of care in treating localized prostate cancer included expenses often hidden or not considered in judging the value of treatments.
"While we have focused heavily on demonstrating the efficacy and low side effects associated with treating patients with Ablatherm-HIFU, there are also significant considerations that must be given to the actual cost of offering a treatment in hospitals," said Rafael Varona, Medical Director of EDAP. "EDAP has long-term data demonstrating our successful outcomes over long periods as well as the low occurrence of side effects. As Ablatherm-HIFU grows in acceptance by the medical community, cost considerations become an important facet for clinical sites electing to offer this therapy and in securing reimbursement approvals from both public and private entities. Taken together with our high levels of efficacy and low side effects, this analysis on the facility costs of offering Ablatherm-HIFU care would indicate that Ablatherm- HIFU can offer significant cost savings in treating localized prostate cancer without sacrificing the most important factor -- the ability to effectively treat the patient and return him to his original quality of life."
"EDAP is committed to bringing excellent standards of care to men with localized prostate cancer while offering clinical sites an attractive financial model as well," said Hugues de Bantel, CEO of EDAP. "In addition to clinical efficacy and our highly regarded training program, EDAP is committed to making Ablatherm-HIFU readily accessible to any clinic wishing to offer treatment. Going beyond the traditional equipment sales model, our per procedure option allows clinics to offer Ablatherm-HIFU without upfront expenses or a significant capital investment. Our clinical sites have been very pleased with the per procedure option and their ability to rapidly access this technology for their patients."
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. 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 Halliburton Investor Relations at (972) 458-8000, the Corporate Investor Relations Dept at +33 (0) 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.
Web site: http://www.edap-tms.com/
