To All:
Monday January 5, 4:19 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
North American Scientific Announces Initial Shipments To Customers Of Its Iodine-125 Brachytherapy Seeds
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 5, 1998--North American Scientific Inc. (OTC BB: NASI - news) today announced that initial commercial shipments of its Iodine-125 brachytherapy sources have begun and will be sold under the trade name IoGold(TM) though its worldwide marketing partner Mentor Corp. (Nasdaq: MNTR - news)
L. Michael Cutrer, president and chief executive officer of North American Scientific said, ''Beta site evaluation has been quite positive and initial patient procedures have been successfully performed. We are very excited about the future prospects of this product.''
Brachytherpay is a promising new technique for treating prostate cancer. Small radioactive ''seeds'' are placed in the prostate in a minimally invasive procedure done with ultrasound guidance. The ''seeding'' procedure has minimal side effects and, since the seeds have a very short half-life they do not need to be removed. Clinical studies indicate that seeding is as effective as other procedures in eliminating the cancer.
Statements included here that are not historical facts may be considered forward-looking statements that are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by the company. These factors include but are not limited to: the company's ability to obtain required government approvals, the company's ability to attract and/or maintain manufacturing, sales, distribution and marketing partners, and the company's ability to develop and commercialize its products before its competitors.
North American Scientific Inc. manufactures and markets low-level radioactive sources and standards for medical, scientific and industrial uses.
Mentor Corp. produces medical and surgical devices for the specialities of plastic surgery, ophthalmic surgery and urology.
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Contact:
North American Scientific Inc.
Paul Gropman, 818/591-6743
818/503-9201
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