Ablatherm-HIFU Launches RPP Service at First Scandinavian Site
Ablatherm-HIFU Launches RPP Service at First Scandinavian Site
Ablatherm-HIFU will initially address radiation failure patients through a unique partnership between the Urology and Radiotherapy departments within the hospital. The device is also proven highly effective in treating first indication cases of localized prostate cancer. In both cases, the Ablatherm-HIFU can offer an effective curative treatment with outcomes rivaling more traditional therapies but with lower potential side effects. This unique blend of high efficacy with lower side effects offers patients an opportunity to preserve their quality of life post therapy without creating a therapeutic impasse in the event of a cancer recurrence.
Aker University Hospital (Oslo, Norway) was founded in 1895 and is one of Oslo's four sector hospitals. Since January 2002 the hospital is organized as a for profit health center fully owned by Helse Øst RHF. The hospital is associated with the University of Oslo Medical School, largest, most prestigious and oldest university in Norway. Aker is also a primary site for academic medical research in Norway. Oslo Urological University Clinic (OUU) at Aker University Hospital is the largest urological clinic in Norway. It serves a local population of 580,000 people and is the urological regional center in Helse Øst RHF with a population of 1.7 million people. OUU covers all aspects of urological problems and disease, and is especially focused on laparoscopic and other minimally invasive techniques.
"We are very interested in the Ablatherm-HIFU device because it can effectively offer a curative care option to patients suffering from a cancer recurrence after radiation treatment in addition to effective treatment for newly diagnosed patients," said Dr Steinar Karlsen, chairman and professor at OUU Aker University Hospital. "Ablatherm-HIFU is the most clinically proven HIFU device for prostate cancer and clearly demonstrated in the clinical literature to offer significant potential benefits to many patients. The Ablatherm-HIFU device is also unique in that it offers a specialized protocol specific to the unique treatment parameters necessary to effectively treat post-radiation recurrence cases. These patients often have few choices for curative care. The Ablatherm will be very attractive to these patients who are increasingly considering their quality of life as part of their treatment decision."
"We are excited to launch the first HIFU site in Scandinavia serving patients suffering from prostate cancer, and to do so at a major center serving the entire Scandinavian population so even more patients will have the opportunity to benefit from Ablatherm-HIFU therapy as a consideration in treating their cancer," said Hugues de Bantel, CEO of EDAP. "As always, the center made a thorough review of the clinical data, literature and user experience associated with HIFU and came to the conclusion that Ablatherm-HIFU is the most proven and most beneficial choice available today. The dedicated and thoroughly researched parameters for radiation failure cases clearly address a growing need for a means to help these patients, and Ablatherm-HIFU is the only HIFU device that has these dedicated features offering a safe, effective, well documented and quality of life preserving treatment choice to patients who currently face very difficult choices. Our focus continues to be the clear, accurate and appropriate education of both the medical and patient communities to help secure the best standards of care for every patient case, and Ablatherm-HIFU clearly has a significant role in offering a potentially better option to many patients, both newly diagnosed and those suffering from the return of cancer after prior radiation treatment.
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.