EDAP TMS S.A. Reports Continued Success in Ablatherm-HIFU at AUA Conference; Ongoing European, Canadian Growth; Strong Interest
May 25 2006 - 1:11PM
PR Newswire (US)
LYON, France, May 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EDAP TMS S.A.
(NASDAQ:EDAP) continued its global leadership presence in HIFU for
localized prostate cancer at the 2006 American Urology Association
(AUA) Conference held in Atlanta, Ga. In addition to ongoing
growing interest in HIFU amongst American urologists gathering
information at the EDAP booth, Ablatherm(R)-HIFU users presented
posters, courses and updates on their experience in key markets
during the conference. Two posters were included in the conference
materials. A poster presented by Chaussy, Thuroff and Bergdorf of
Munich, Germany, itemized 23 significant distinct differences in
HIFU technology parameters used in localized prostate cancer
treatment concluding clinical data should not be pooled between the
devices. Key items available only with Ablatherm-HIFU include
multiple features used in safety protocols, published studies
reporting PSA nadir medians less than 0.1, catheter time of less
than 1 week average, 3-D imaging from an inline 7.5 MHz probe
providing best-in-class visualization and long- term follow up on
efficacy published after peer review. A second poster provided by
Chaussy, Thuroff and Knauer of Munich, Germany, summarized 10-year
experience data on more than 1,300 Ablatherm-HIFU treatments. In
1,078 primary treatments, incontinence at more than 3 months
occurred in 1.7% of patients and median catheter time was reported
at 5 days. Additional results were reported in secondary HIFU
treatment and salvage treatment options, outlining the importance
of selected indications on the recorded side effects. The poster
concluded that Ablatherm-HIFU offers considerably lower side
effects than current therapies. A study course was co-presented by
Jean De La Rosette, MD, Department of Urology, Academic Medical
Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The course, titled, Ablative
Oncology: Radiofrequency, Cryosurgery and High Intensity Focused
Ultrasound (HIFU), provided a detailed overview of HIFU concepts,
application and indications where HIFU is considered a growing
therapeutic option. Included was a detailed discussion of
short-term and long-term results from multiple peer-reviewed
published Ablatherm-HIFU studies as well as results of nerve
sparing and salvage therapy cases. The study course demonstrated
Ablatherm-HIFU is now an accepted therapeutic recommendation for
patients who are not surgical candidates or patients who wish avoid
surgery or radiation. In particular, the benefits of Ablatherm-HIFU
include very low rates of side effect complications as the
treatment leaves surrounding tissues unharmed and the treatment is
repeatable without toxicity effects. Also the treatment is
attractive to patients as it allows them to leave the hospital
within 24 hours, possibly catheter free depending on the protocols
and patient indications. In determining treatment recommendations,
Ablatherm-HIFU has a clearly demonstrated profile allowing doctors
and patients to assess the potential outcomes against other
treatment modalities. Adherence to these protocols and treatment
parameters allows the outcomes to be clearly reproducible from
center to center and within patient risk categories. The growing
interest from expanding use of Ablatherm-HIFU in Europe, where more
than 106 sites are presently offering treatment in increasing
quantity as well as continuing advances in clinical credibility,
generated solid interest at the EDAP booth where reference
materials, an interactive video education course and current users
were available to provide information to interested urologists and
introduce the Ablatherm-HIFU technology. "We were very pleased with
the interest shown in Ablatherm-HIFU by urologists attending the
AUA conference," said Fabrice Romano, director of marketing. "We
had several urologists from international sites inquire about
offering Ablatherm-HIFU at their locations and significant interest
from American urologists who are seeing the already substantial
growth in utilization in Europe. Many American doctors new to HIFU
were surprised to learn of the strong clinical reports on
Ablatherm-HIFU during the conference and in peer reviewed journals
clearly demonstrating the technique is now routinely used in Europe
for patients diagnosed with localized prostate cancer who are not
good candidates for surgery. We had numerous inquiries about
treating American patients as an increasing number of men from
North America are seeking Ablatherm-HIFU treatment in Canada and
Europe once they learn of the unique benefits of the therapy."
"Following an outstanding EAU conference in April and strong growth
in treatments of more than 20% reported in the first quarter prior
to the effect of our new marketing strategies we are very pleased
with the interest in Ablatherm-HIFU by urologists attending the
AUA," said Hugues de Bantel, CEO of EDAP. "Many US doctors were
quite surprised the treatment was not already available in the
United States when they learned of the European clinical data and
publications supporting Ablatherm-HIFU therapy. We were also
pleased to have the opportunity to meet with several of our
European clinical leaders assisting us in growing treatments in key
European markets and introduce them to American urologists. There
is an emerging consensus in Europe that in selected patients
diagnosed with localized prostate cancer who are not good
candidates for surgery, Ablatherm-HIFU appears to be a very
attractive option with considerably lower co-morbidity and high
quality of life preservation. "We are also very excited to hear
reports of increasing treatments at our Maple Leaf HIFU clinical
partner location in Toronto, Canada, where approximately 20
procedures are already planned for both May and June and patients
are already scheduling treatments in July. Ablatherm-HIFU's clear
position as the global leader in HIFU for localized prostate cancer
presents a solution for patients seeking a treatment that will
offer high confidence in efficacy combined with clear preservation
of quality of life. As patients from any location in the world are
finding more information on Ablatherm-HIFU, in particular through
our dedicated informative web site http://www.hifu-planet.com/ ,
there is a clear trend of increasing inquiries and desire to choose
Ablatherm-HIFU treatment. We will continue to advance patient
awareness and practitioner education in key markets in Europe on
the right indications for Ablatherm-HIFU and its quality of life
benefits to drive treatment increases beyond the growth we are
already seeing." 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 patients who failed
radiotherapy treatment. 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 sites at http://www.edap-tms.com/ and
http://www.hifu-planet.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 in
clinical trials but 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 DATASOURCE: EDAP TMS S.A.
CONTACT: Hugues de Bantel, Philippe Chauveau, or Blandine Confort,
all of EDAP TMS S.A., +33-4-78-26-40-46, or Matt Kreps or Geralyn
DeBusk, both of Halliburton Investor Relations, +1-972-458-8000,
for EDAP TMS S.A. Web site: http://www.edap-tms.com/
http://www.hifu-planet.com/
Copyright
EDAP TMS (NASDAQ:EDAP)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2024 to Jul 2024
EDAP TMS (NASDAQ:EDAP)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2023 to Jul 2024