LYON, France, Jan. 20, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EDAP TMS SA (Nasdaq:EDAP), the global leader in therapeutic ultrasound, reported today placement of the first Sonolith i-sys electroconductive lithotripter in South Africa.
Pretoria Urology Hospital (PUH) is the largest private urology hospital in South Africa, entirely dedicated to treating urology disorders ranging from urinary stones to prostate cancer. A medical team of fourteen urologists at PUH is actively focusing on offering best-in-class treatment options to patients and has been using EDAP's Ablatherm-HIFU technology to successfully treat prostate cancer for over a year. More than 600 lithotripsy treatments are performed every year at PUH, together with associated endourology procedures. Sonolith i-sys fully integrated system is the ideal treatment to meet PUH's lithotripsy needs.
Mr. Gary Wachsberger, Director of Intamed, EDAP's distribution partner in South Africa, commented, "We have enjoyed a long term relationship with EDAP to distribute their best-in-class urology devices in South Africa and have successfully introduced the Company's Ablatherm-HIFU device. We are excited to now place the first electroconductive Sonolith i-sys in South Africa. Its compelling efficacy and superiority will allow patients to benefit from the industry leading technology to treat their urinary stones. We are very optimistic about additional placement opportunities for EDAP's range of Sonolith devices."
Marc Oczachowski, Chief Executive Officer of EDAP, added, "We are actively pursuing our global expansion strategy of entering new and growing markets. We are very excited to move forward the entry of EDAP in the major African markets, with the first installation of our innovative and leading integrated lithotripsy system, the Sonolith i-sys. This is another successful milestone in our aggressive strategy to penetrate new markets and take more market share thanks to our unique and fully renewed range of lithotripters."
Marc Oczachowski concluded, "We continue to work actively on pushing forward our regulatory programs in major markets and are on track for Sonolith i-move approvals in the U.S. and major international markets."
Intamed is part of Intamarket Group that has specialized in the distribution of high technology products for more than 35 years. Intamed distributes medical devices and consumables capital medical equipment on behalf of significant international brands to the healthcare industry in South Africa and neighboring countries.
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 U.S. 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.
CONTACT: Blandine Confort Investor Relations / Legal Affairs EDAP TMS SA +33 4 72 15 31 72 bconfort@edap-tms.com Investors: Stephanie Carrington The Ruth Group 646-536-7017 scarrington@theruthgroup.com