EDAP TMS S.A. Closes Private Placement
EDAP TMS S.A. Closes Private Placement
For the last 12 months, the company has transitioned its Ablatherm-HIFU business from equipment sales to an already successful and growing revenue per procedure (RPP) model, where the company provides Ablatherm-HIFU equipment to participating hospitals and clinics and is paid a fee based on the number of treatments performed. Under the RPP approach, hospitals and clinics are not required to invest capital up-front to purchase the equipment, which provides a significant advantage in promoting acceptance of Ablatherm-HIFU, especially when combined with training programs that enable specialists to become proficient in the use of the Ablatherm-HIFU in just 10-15 treatment sessions. The company will continue to offer equipment sales and receive the accompanying maintenance and disposable revenues when sites prefer a purchase option.
The company intends to use proceeds from the private placement to provide additional marketing and sales resources to accelerate acceptance of RPP sites primarily in European markets. The company's marketing strategy will target both physicians and patients over the next 30 months, by increasing its web presence, providing support material and resources to third-party patient referral sources, hosting symposia and conversion workshops for medical staff and continuing its clinical activity to support the credibility of HIFU treatment. The company will also engage local public relations and marketing support in key countries to assist in creating additional patient activity around new and existing centers. Many of these measures have already been tested through local marketing campaigns launched at certain new Ablatherm-HIFU centers, which have proven successful. Proceeds will also support the hiring of additional sales staff in key European markets, who will aim to accelerate the launch of new Ablatherm-HIFU centers offering treatment for patients with localized prostate cancer not pursuing surgery.
The run rate of RPP treatments has now exceeded 1,000 treatments per year. In 2005, EDAP launched 30 new Ablatherm-HIFU treatment centers, and has launched an additional 21 centers in the first 6 months of 2006. The company has already observed that some centers using the Ablatherm-HIFU medical device are on the way to treating 20% of their localized prostate cancer cases after completion of their launch phase, typically the first year of operation.
The company also provided an update on its operations. EDAP continues to see strong RPP growth in the second quarter as the company added more Ablatherm-HIFU providers in key European markets. Cash at the end of the second quarter stood at approximately €6.6 million. Proceeds from the private placement are expected to increase cash balances by approximately €5.0 million to fund the dedicated marketing and sales programs.
"We see significant opportunity today in the European marketplace as noninvasive techniques to treat prostate cancer are growing in demand," said Hugues de Bantel, CEO of EDAP. "EDAP has clearly achieved a strong medical consensus supporting HIFU for nonsurgical cases and external beam radiation failures as of this year's EAU Congress. We are now able to credibly roll out major marketing campaigns in key countries with the support of the urology community, with the aim of accelerating our growth rates. This capital increase will supplement our existing cash position to enable EDAP to more aggressively engage in sales and marketing efforts in key countries where we see substantial growth opportunity. We believe the already strong trend lines in growth for the RPP business combined with these enhanced sales and marketing efforts directed at physicians and patients will help bring HIFU further into the mainstream of prostate cancer therapy in Europe. We plan to both launch additional sites and employ marketing programs at our existing sites to help make patients aware of the unique and beneficial therapy available at these centers."
"We believe the Ablatherm-HIFU is a strong complement to the urologist's practice," said de Bantel. "Presently urologists are treating about half their cases of localized prostate cancer with surgery, while the other half are often referred to radiation or other therapies. Ablatherm-HIFU allows the urologist to offer a new option to these nonsurgical patients by providing a treatment that rivals other therapies, but offers significantly lower side effects and reduced recovery times. We are seeing clear evidence of adoption in centers using the Ablatherm-HIFU, as well as growing adoption in the broader market. We believe that we are well positioned to more aggressively approach the market to both launch new centers and attract patients to our existing centers. Patients who learn of the benefits of HIFU therapy often schedule appointments to consult with a practicing urologist to discuss treatment options. We intend to accelerate this trend."
The securities issued in connection with the private placement referenced herein have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. As part of the private placement, the company has agreed to file a resale registration statement on Form F-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 30 days following the closing for purpose of registering for resale the American Depositary Shares evidencing the ordinary shares sold in the offering.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be, absent any exemption therefrom, any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
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 for patients who failed radiotherapy treatment. The company is also developing this technology for the potential 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).