LYON, France, April 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EDAP TMS S.A. , will present at the upcoming European Association of Urology Conference April 5-8, 2006, in Paris. The EAU is the largest Urological Association in Europe gathering more than 16,000 urologists. It is the largest and most significant body in Europe dedicated to advancing urological treatment, increasing standards of care, promoting research and fostering new technology. The conference will draw more than 8,000 attendees from the International urology community. EDAP’s theme for year 2006 will be 10,000 patients, 10 years of follow-up, and more than 100 sites.
During the EAU event, EDAP will hold a symposium and other forums which will detail 10-year experience for the first time ever. Ongoing advances will be discussed regarding continuing research with the most advanced HIFU treatment of localized prostate cancer -- the Ablatherm(R)-HIFU, continuing advances in safety of the therapy and results obtained on HIFU used as a salvage therapy.
EDAP is the recognized global leader in high intensity focused ultrasound treatment of localized prostate cancer. The Ablatherm-HIFU has 10 years of treatment history spanning more than 9,000 treatments and 105 sites to date. The procedure is a demonstrated effective treatment for localized prostate cancer showing up to 93% successful outcome at five years follow-up and a lower incidence of side effects as compared to established treatments. Studies at longer terms previously presented show ongoing efficacy with high preservation of patient quality of life.
On Tuesday, April 4, EDAP will hold a detailed sales meeting introducing Ablatherm-HIFU and the benefits of its complete patient treatment system. The company will provide information about marketing tools supported by the company to advance patient education and referrals to Ablatherm-HIFU clinics. As part of the meeting, EDAP will provide details of the latest clinical studies on outcomes, minimization of side effects and Ablatherm-HIFU applications. EDAP’s unique and successful per procedure and mobile business will also be discussed. Also during the meeting, advances in the Sonolith product lines for the treatment of urinary tract stones will be detailed. Clinical results from the Scottish Lithotripsy Center, Edinburgh, UK, will be unveiled and a detailed presentation on the new imaging system GE C-Arm Everview 7500 Pro and Fluorostar ranges will be provided.
On Thursday, April 6, EDAP will host a symposium bringing the company to the level of major biomedical companies serving Europe in recognition of Ablatherm-HIFU as today a mainstream treatment choice in the treatment of localized prostate cancer. The symposium will debut the 10-year European experience with Ablatherm-HIFU, the longest term of results globally for HIFU for localized prostate cancer.
At the symposium, Dr. Francois-Joseph Murat of Edouard Herriot University Hospital, Lyon, will present details of Ablatherm-HIFU results when used as salvage therapy following external beam radiation therapy failure. Dr. Stefan Thuroff will present a discussion and paper on efficacy, results and safety at 10 years based on treatments at University Hospital of Munich, Harlaching, Germany. A discussion of HIFU principles and its future directions will be presented by Dr. Gail R. Ter Haar of the Institute for Cancer Research at the Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, UK. The symposium will conclude with an open question and answer session on the role of HIFU as the option for low side effects in treatment of localized prostate cancer from an oncology point of view led by Pr. Umberto Tirelli, Director of Medical Oncology at the National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Italy. Chairing the Symposium will be Pr. Kurt Miller, Head of the Urology Department at Charite Benjamin Franklin in Berlin.
On Friday, April 7, the European HIFU Club will meet, chaired by Pr. W. Artibani of Padova, Italy. Six lecture and discussion format presentations will be offered on advances in the Ablatherm-HIFU integrated imaging system (Thuroff, Munich), preservation of continence and potency (Wieland, Regensburg), treatment of large-volume prostates (Pasticier, Bordeaux & Conort, Paris), the comprehensive Ablatherm-HIFU learning curve (Brown, Stockport), HIFU history and its future (Gelet, Lyon), and Patient discussions and concerns in learning about Ablatherm-HIFU (Artibani, Padova).
“We are pleased to present such a comprehensive schedule of information and events about Ablatherm-HIFU at the upcoming EAU,” said Hugues de Bantel, CEO of EDAP TMS. “This year’s meeting certainly represents a significant launching platform for our latest results at now 10 years, long considered the most significant hurdle in credibility for treating localized prostate cancer. These newest study outcomes will confirm Ablatherm-HIFU and its unique ability to provide an effective long-term therapeutic solution preserving patient quality of life with the minimum of side effects. We will sponsor a number of educational resources on Ablatherm-HIFU and the numerous support programs EDAP offers in marketing, patient education and research access as part of our commitment to the clinical providers of this therapy. The broad profile of presenters covering topics ranging from HIFU physics to patient concerns to salvage therapy demonstrate both the exceptional strength of this treatment option as part of a urology or oncology program as well as its fast growing appeal to patients seeking better standards of care than those provided by traditional therapies. Clearly Ablatherm-HIFU is effective, safe, and desirable to the patient and an attractive clinical offering to the physician.”
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 the Investor Relations Dept by phone 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 or 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/
