EDAP Highlights Business Progress in Europe

Planet edap Inc.
Apr 20,2009

EDAP Highlights Business Progress in Europe

LYON, France, Apr 20, 2009 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- EDAP TMS SA (Nasdaq:EDAP), the global leader in therapeutic ultrasound, outlined the continuing progress of its European business, in both HIFU and lithotripsy activities.

The company is continuing to see positive business progress, particularly in Germany, France and Italy. In these countries, HIFU RPP activity is increasing and experiencing strong adoption as a result of EDAP's and its direct subsidiaries' aggressive communication and marketing programs to increase physician and patient awareness. These initiatives have led to:


 * Growing physician interest for HIFU,
 * Significant increases in the number of treatments among existing
   Ablatherm-HIFU sites,
 * A 40% increase in the number of RPP treatments in Europe during the
   first quarter,
 * The opening of three new mobile RPP sites in German speaking
   countries in the first quarter of 2009.

Judith Johannsen, Managing Director of EDAP TMS GmbH, commented: "I am very enthusiastic about the growing interest for HIFU in Germany. Our communication strategy is proving to be fully adapted and we believe there is significant opportunity to continue to build on our initiatives and enhance awareness. Our HIFU Symposium held in Stockholm during the EAU congress generated substantial interest about the benefits of Ablatherm-HIFU among physicians, many of whom enquired on our adapted pay-per-use RPP option. We clearly see a growing interest in establishing HIFU as an option for prostate cancer treatment in German prostate cancer centers."

The German EDAP TMS GmbH Lithotripsy business is also producing strong results with three Sonolith I-sys sold within the last nine months, confirming EDAP's position among the major players in the ESWL market, particularly with the successful introduction of its High-end Sonolith I-sys lithotripter.

Marc Oczachowski, CEO of EDAP, commented: "I am particularly pleased with EDAP's entry into the German lithotripsy market, which has always been tightly controlled by German ESWL players over the last 25 years. With our Sonolith I-sys high-end device, EDAP succeeded in establishing a respectable position in Germany confirming the adoption of our superior electroconductive technology. I am also very pleased with our growing HIFU RPP activity in Europe, confirming our adapted and focused marketing strategy has been correctly implemented."

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 ENLIGHT US clinical Study. 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.

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com

SOURCE: EDAP TMS S.A.

EDAP TMS SA
          Investor Relations / Legal Affairs
          Blandine Confort
          +33 4 72 15 31 72
          bconfort@edap-tms.com

          The Ruth Group
          Investors:
          Nick Laudico
          +1 646 536 7030
          nlaudico@theruthgroup.com

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