Misonix and Focus Surgery Announce the Development of Next Generation Sonoblate for Treatment of Benign and Cancerous Prostate Tumors
at biz.yahoo.com :
Thursday September 23, 9:29 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Misonix and Focus Surgery
Announce the Development
of Next Generation
Sonoblate for Treatment of
Benign and Cancerous Prostate Tumors
Non-Invasive Treatment May Improve Survival Rates
and Reduce Side-Effects
FARMINGDALE, NY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 1999-- Misonix
Incorporated (Nasdaq: MSON - news) and Focus Surgery, Inc. today
announced the start of the development of Focus Surgery's next generation
Sonoblate(TM) (''SBX'') platform for the non-invasive treatment of benign and
cancerous prostate tumors. Misonix owns 20% of Focus Surgery and is jointly
developing the next generation Sonoblate(TM) high intensity focused
ultrasound (''HIFU'') machines.
An earlier version of the SBX(TM), the Sonoblate 200(TM), has been approved
in Japan for the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (''BPH'') and over
1,200 patients have been successfully treated. In the U.S., Focus Surgery is
conducting Phase III clinical trials for the non-invasive treatment of BPH,
commonly known as enlarged prostate. The Company estimates that
approximately eight million men have BPH and over $4.5 billion a year is spent
on its treatment in the U.S. The worldwide market is estimated to be $8 billion.
Prostate cancer is the second most fatal cancer, after lung cancer, claiming the
lives of over 37,000 men in the U.S. and costing approximately $5 billion
annually. Focus Surgery is conducting prostate cancer feasibility studies using
HIFU in Japan with Hitachi Medical Corporation and Takai Hospital Supply
with the support of a Japanese government grant.
Narendra T. Sanghi, President and CEO of Focus Surgery, continued, ''We hope
to begin manufacturing and marketing the SBX(TM) to treat BPH in the U.S.
next year, after the completion of our Phase III trials and the receipt of FDA
approval. In the meantime, we continue to research the technology's efficacy for
prostate cancer in early stage trials in Japan. We believe that we are at the
forefront of prostate disease treatment and will continue our efforts to bring the
SBX(TM) to market as soon as possible.''
Dr. Martin Resnick, M.D. Chairman of the Department of Urology at Case
Western Reserve University said, ''HIFU is a new treatment modality that
offers much promise for patients with BPH and carcinoma of the prostate.
Initial results appear encouraging with patients showing good responses in both
symptom relief and minimal complications. We hope this technology will prove
to be highly effective for patients with localized prostate cancer and will
diminish the occurrence of side effects such as reduced urinary and sexual
function which are common with radiation therapy and surgery.''
Michael A. McManus, Jr., President and CEO of Misonix, Inc. commented,
''Since this is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Week, we feel it is very
important to emphasize how proud we are to be contributing to the development
of new treatments for prostate disease through our alliance with Focus Surgery.
SBX(TM) may dramatically improve the outcomes for BPH and prostate
cancer patients and, at the same time, reduce treatment cost through the
elimination of expensive disposables and fewer complications after surgery.
With SBX(TM) we combine the power of ultrasound guidance and a HIFU
beam to produce precise lesions in the diseased prostate, using a single, patented
ultrasound transducer, which represents an entirely new technology for
urology disease treatment. The beam does not damage intervening healthy
tissue or have cumulative post-operative complications.''
Misonix, Inc. develops, manufactures, and/or markets medical, scientific, and
industrial ultrasonic and air pollution systems.
Focus Surgery, Inc. is a privately-held company that develops, manufactures
and markets image-guided, non-invasive surgical equipment using high
intensity focused ultrasound, a technology capable of destroying deep-seated
tissue by rapidly elevating the temperature in the focal zone, without affecting
the intervening tissue.
Forward Looking Statements: Statements in this news release looking forward
in time are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including general
economic conditions, delays and risks associated with the performance of
contracts, uncertainties as to the results of research and development, potential
acquisitions, consumer and industry acceptance, litigation and regulatory risks.
Contact:
Company Contact:
Michael McManus, Jr.
President & CEO
Misonix Incorporated
(516) 694-9555
www.misonix.com
or
Investor Relations:
Lisa D. Lettieri
Vice President
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, Inc.
(212) 838-3777
www.lhai.com or lisa@lhai.com
or
Media Contacts:
Elissa Grabowski
Associate Vice President
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, Inc.
(212) 838-3777
www.lhai.com or elissa@lhai.com
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