LYON, France, Feb. 6, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EDAP TMS SA (Nasdaq:EDAP), the global leader in therapeutic ultrasound, announced today the first installation of its Ablatherm-HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound) machine at Centro Medico Puerta de Hierro Hospital in Guadalajara, Mexico. The clinic adopted the Ablatherm robotic HIFU system through a revenue per procedure (RPP) contract.
Dr. Jorge Gutierrez Aceves, MD, Head of the Prostate Institute at Centro Medico Puerta de Hierro Hospital, stated, "We are excited to be the first hospital in Mexico to launch and successfully perform Ablatherm-HIFU procedures. Our hospital strives to be at the forefront of novel cancer treatment approaches with the potential to provide greater efficacy, fewer side effects, and better quality of life for patients and their families. We see great promise for Ablatherm-HIFU as a targeted, minimally invasive treatment for localized prostate cancer and look forward to offering this treatment to more patients in the weeks to come."
Marc Oczachowski, EDAP's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "The global expansion of Ablatherm-HIFU into key geographic markets has continued to drive adoption and positively impact EDAP's business. Our entrance into Mexico highlights EDAP's growth potential in the third largest market in the Americas. We look forward to working with Dr. Gutierrez, a pioneer in introducing new innovative urological techniques in Mexico. We believe our close and successful cooperation will provide quicker, easier and expanded access to Ablatherm-HIFU."
Marc Oczachowski continued,"We are pleased to also announce the approval of our Ablatherm device in Brazil, opening new opportunities for EDAP's business in Latin American. We are currently working closely with our distributor in Brazil to target clinical sites and offer the technology to those patients with prostate cancer in Brazil".
About EDAP TMS SA
EDAP TMS SA 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. Approved in Europe as a treatment for prostate cancer, Ablatherm-HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) is currently undergoing evaluation in a multicenter U.S. Phase II/III clinical trial under an Investigational Device Exemption granted by the FDA. The Company also is developing this technology for the potential treatment of certain other types of tumors. EDAP TMS SA also produces and commercializes medical equipment for treatment of urinary tract stones using extra-corporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL). For more information on the company, please visit http://www.edap-tms.com, http://www.hifu-planet.com and http://www.pcaresearch.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
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 FDA-approved or marketed in the United States.