FARMINGDALE, N.Y., May 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Misonix, Inc. , a developer of ultrasonic medical device technology for the treatment of cancer and other chronic health conditions, today announced that it has completed a very successful participation at the 2006 American Urology Association (AUA) Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Attendance by doctors from around the world indicated a strong interest in the Sonablate 500 (SB500), the medical device developed by Focus Surgery and manufactured and distributed in Europe by Misonix, which uses High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) for the treatment of prostate cancer. There were more than 80 physician users of the SB500 at the 6th Annual SB500 users group meeting at the AUA. There were eight separate presentations by urologists from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Japan, Australia and Austria talking about the benefits of the SB500. Misonix also had visual and personal presentations on the SB500.
The new Version 4 software for the SB500, which provides for faster treatment times, 3D imaging with treatment planning color Doppler for Neuro Vascular Bundler detection and other advancements, was also demonstrated. The doctors in attendance showed heightened interest in learning that the SB500 did not require Trans Urethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) as required by other HIFU treatments. In addition, doctors noted that other HIFU treatments could only treat prostate heights of 25mm as compared to 45mm for the SB500 and without TURP procedures.
Dr. Michael A. Marberger, Chairman and Professor of the Department of Urology, Vienna, Austria, taught an official Continuing Medical Education course on HIFU at the AUA meeting. During this course, he pointed out advantages of using the 4 MHz ultrasound frequency for the treatment of prostate caner.
Michael A. McManus, Jr. President and CEO of Misonix noted, “I continue to be impressed by the number of prominent urologists expressing serious interest in adding to their practice the treatment of prostate cancer using HIFU with the Sonablate 500. We already have some of the most prominent urologists working with us in clinicals and procedures across Europe. It is a real pleasure to come to the AUA -- with momentum for our product increasing year after year -- and talk with some of the best urologists in the world. I consider doctors presently working with us, including Dr. Toyoaki Uchida from Japan and Dr. Mark Emberton from the U.K. to be among the very best. Our recent results show that 84% of patients were able to achieve success as measured by PSA nadirs dropping to 0.2 ng/ml or less without a TURP procedure.
“It is interesting to see how quickly most of the new doctors interested in HIFU for prostate cancer understand the benefits of using the SB500 without requiring a TURP procedure while at the same time treating significantly larger prostates than other HIFU treatments are able to do.
“Based on the increasing awareness of the benefits of HIFU and the results achieved by the SB500, we anticipate several new distribution agreements to result from our participation in the AUA conference as well as many more doctors seeking to participate in our HIFU meetings in Europe. We have already seen a considerable increase in interest by urologists after our presentations at the EAU conference in April.
“Another development is our Visually Directed HIFU, a new, non-invasive high intensity focused ultrasound technique available only with the SB500. This process is credited for setting a much higher standard of care for prostate cancer treatment. As previously announced by Misonix, Visually Directed HIFU treatment results were reported by researchers from the Clinical Effectiveness Unit, the Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, UK, including Dr. Rowland Illing, Dr. Sam Dawkins, Dr. Chris Ogden and Dr. Mark Emberton. The study showed that with the new HIFU technique, a greater level of success was achieved as measured by reduced PSA nadir levels that are better than achieved by all other published non-invasive procedures and which are on par with results typically associated with a surgical approach.
“Later in 2006, we will be completing the first five site clinical done in Europe on the treatment of prostate cancer using the SB500, which includes procedures performed on 75 patients.
“We are also excited about our new Sonatherm product using HIFU in a laproscopic kidney procedure. At the AUA, Dr. Ari Shalov of the University of Chicago made a presentation of the benefits of the Sonatherm product. We will be starting clinicals in Europe using the Sonatherm at several sites.
“We are very pleased with our association with Focus Surgery as its European distributor of the SB500. The experts at Focus Surgery continue to provide us with new advanced technology, such as the new Visually Directed HIFU for the treatment of prostate cancer.”
About Misonix:
Misonix develops, manufactures, and markets medical, scientific, and industrial ultrasonic and air pollution systems. Misonix’s ultrasonic platform is the basis for several innovative medical technologies. Misonix has a minority equity position in Focus Surgery, Inc. which uses high intensity focused ultrasound technology to destroy deep-seated cancerous tissues without affecting surrounding healthy tissue. Addressing a combined market estimated to be in excess of $4 billion annually, Misonix’s proprietary ultrasonic medical devices are used for wound debridement, cosmetic surgery, neurosurgery, laparoscopic surgery, and other surgical and medical applications. Additional information is available on the Company’s Web site at http://www.misonix.com.
With the exception of historical information contained in this press release, content herein may contain “forward looking statements” that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. In particular, the Company may not be successful in its efforts with respect to strategic opportunities for its Laboratory and Scientific Division and the affect this activity may have on the other businesses within the Company. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These factors include general economic conditions, delays and risks associated with the performance of contracts, uncertainties as a result of research and development, potential acquisitions, consumer and industry acceptance, litigation and/or court proceedings, including the timing and monetary requirements of such activities, regulatory risks including approval of pending and/or contemplated 510(k) filings, the ability to achieve and maintain profitability in the Company’s business lines, and other factors discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.
Misonix Contact: Investor Relations Contact: Richard Zaremba Jordan M. Darrow Chief Financial Officer Darrow Associates, Inc. 631-694-9555 631-367-1866 invest@misonix.comjdarrow@optonline.net
Misonix, Inc.
CONTACT: Richard Zaremba, Chief Financial Officer of Misonix,+1-631-694-9555, invest@misonix.com; or Investor Relations - Jordan M.Darrow of Darrow Associates, Inc., +1-631-367-1866, jdarrow@optonline.net
Web site: http://www.misonix.com/
