LYON, France, April 9, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- EDAP TMS SA (Nasdaq:EDAP), the global leader in therapeutic ultrasound, announced today a research cooperation with Epitarget AS, a Norwegian Company, and INSERM, to work at improving delivery of cancer drugs using a combination of ultrasound sensitive liposomes and therapeutic ultrasound (HIFU). Entitled, "Novel Sonosensitive Liposomes and Systems for Targeted Ultrasound Mediated Drug Delivery," the project has recently been awarded a public grant via the French Norwegian Foundation funded by the Foundation, the French Ministry of Research and the French Innovation Society. The project has also obtained EUREKA status, which is a European quality label and prerequisite for obtaining French public support on industrial projects.

Emmanuel Blanc, EDAP's Research and Development Director, said, "As the leading global expert in high intensity focused ultrasound, EDAP has built a successful track record of developing and marketing devices based on innovative technologies. We are excited to work in conjunction with Epitarget and INSERM on this research project. In addition, we are confident that the use of our patented HIFU technology can be utilized to precisely deliver drugs encapsulated within liposomes to deep seated tumors while facilitating drug absorption by the cancerous cells."

Marc Oczachowski, EDAP's Chief Executive Officer, stated, "EDAP is recognized as the HIFU leader for the treatment of localized prostate cancer and we are excited to expand our expertise across other pathologies. HIFU technology is regarded as a future standard of care therapy with strong potential to address a large variety of pathologies. With our solid IP portfolio and demonstrated experience in HIFU, EDAP is very well positioned to participate in the development of future minimally invasive HIFU options that will benefit all patients. We will continue to leverage our expertise and engage in research and medical projects aimed at achieving improved therapeutic solutions."

Epitarget AS is a Norwegian therapeutics company dedicated to developing cancer therapies through novel targeting methods. For more information, please visit http://www.epitarget.com.

INSERM is the only French public organization entirely dedicated to biological, medical and public health research. The participating Unit 556 in Lyon entirely focuses on therapeutic applications of ultrasound. For more information, please visit http://www.inserm.fr.

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.

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