LYON, France, July 3, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- EDAP TMS SA (Nasdaq:EDAP), the global leader in therapeutic ultrasound, announced today it has entered into two new revenue per procedure (RPP) contracts in Germany with St. Barbara Hospital in Gladbeck and the Urological Clinic of the University of Heidelberg.
EDAP recently entered into a new RPP contract with St. Barbara Hospital in Gladbeck. The Center has a history of commitment to exceptional patient care and cutting-edge research for the treatment of prostate cancer. An initial HIFU trial session and workshop held in February of this year gave urologists at the St. Barbara Center the opportunity to assess Ablatherm technology and its robotized approach and evaluate patient benefits in comparison to more invasive treatment procedures. Initial feedback from the site positions Ablatherm-HIFU as a clinically proven choice for the treatment of localized prostate cancer as the number of procedures has continued to grow at the center.
The Company also entered into a longer term fixed RPP contract with the Urological Clinic of the University of Heidelberg effective July 1, 2008. The Center's decision to sign the contract was based on a successful four-month trial period, which convinced urologists at the clinic of the unique clinical superiority and ease of use associated with the Ablatherm device.
Dr. Sascha Pahernik, consultant of the Urological Clinic at the University of Heidelberg, commented, "HIFU has the potential to become an important and viable treatment option for the treatment of localized prostate cancer due to the growing number of cases diagnosed each year. The clinical advantages of Ablatherm-HIFU as a minimally invasive, effective, and safe therapy position the treatment as a proven and valid technology in the modern urology practice."
Judith Johannsen, General Manager of EDAP GmbH, in Germany, commented, "We are strongly focused on carrying out targeted media outreach throughout the country. The recent peer review article from the French Association of Urology that positioned HIFU as a standard of care for the treatment of prostate cancer was widely distributed to help increase awareness of this proven technology among current and potential users in Germany."
Marc Oczachowski, EDAP's Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are encouraged by the continued adoption of Ablatherm-HIFU across Germany, as exemplified by the recent addition of two new centers on a fixed and mobile RPP basis. We are all the more enthusiastic that these converted centers are world renowned clinical sites. The addition of these premier hospitals highlights the scientific community's acceptance of HIFU as a standard of care option for localized prostate cancer."
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 and http://www.hifu-planet.com or http://www.urotoday.com/HIFU.