POSC ships first POSICAM PET Scanner
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Wednesday April 5, 10:57 am Eastern Time
Positron Announces Posicam PET Scanner Shipment to Leading Edge Coronary Disease Reversal Center
Positron's First Re-launch System Goes to Repeat Buyer, Dr. Michael E. Merhige, Director of Center
HOUSTON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 5, 2000-- Positron Corporation (OTC BB: POSC) announced today that it has shipped its first re-launch Posicam(TM) series PET scanner to The Coronary Disease Reversal Center in Buffalo, New York. The center's Medical Director, Dr. Michael E. Merhige, is a renowned expert on the cost efficacy of cardiac PET scanning. This system sale was recorded in the Company's first quarter financial results.
Dr. Michael E. Merhige M.D., stated ``Our new Coronary Disease Reversal Center is a uniquely focused private practice, engaged in delivering optimal individual patient care, while continuing the search for the best results for our patients at the lowest possible cost. We look forward to continuing our close association with Positron Corporation as we help to move PET technology from the University research environment, to its current position as the new standard of clinical care for coronary disease, which will be demanded by patients, physicians and payors alike.'
Gary Brooks, President of Positron, commented, ``We are very pleased to ship our first re-launch system to Dr. Merhige, who has proven expertise with the Positron Posicam HZL PET scanner. We are delighted that Dr. Merhige has once again selected Positron's PET technology for his Coronary Disease Reversal Center in the Buffalo area. Dr. Merhige's expertise in cardiac PET is well known and his repeat choice of Positron's technology is a significant endorsement for the Company. We look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Merhige as he launches his new Center.'
Dr. Merhige continued, ``The traditional, invasive approach which cardiologists have used for the management of patients with coronary heart disease has relied on coronary arteriography. This approach results in the excessive use of coronary angioplasty and bypass surgery, procedures which are hard on the patient, expensive, and yield poorer clinical outcomes, compared with non-surgical, aggressive coronary disease reversal therapy using a low fat diet, healthy lifestyle changes, and lipid lowering drugs. We have already demonstrated in a private cardiology practice, that the routine use of PET in properly selected patients results in a 50% reduction in the use of coronary arteriography and bypass surgery with improved clinical outcomes for the patient, and a 25% reduction in coronary disease management costs for third party payors, using a Positron PET system and Bracco Rubidium 82 infusion system.'
Dr. Merhige concluded, ``Simply put, the results of medical coronary reversal treatment are better than those obtained with coronary angioplasty or bypass surgery, are easier for the patient, and save money. PET imaging provides doctors, for the first time, with the ability to non-invasively visualize coronary blood flow very accurately. We can see the progression or regression of coronary disease with serial PET studies, before clinical events occur, and tailor the aggressiveness of reversal therapy to each individual patient's needs.'
Positron's PET scanner will be located at the Northwoods Medical Center in West Amherst, a suburb of Buffalo, New York, and will be used to perform cardiac PET scanning, a non-invasive procedure used to monitor the reversal and prevention of coronary disease. The scanner is currently being installed and is expected to be operational approximately April 17, 2000.
Positron Corporation is primarily engaged in designing, manufacturing, marketing and supporting advanced medical imaging devices utilizing positron emission tomography (PET) technology under the trade name POSICAM systems. POSICAM systems incorporate patented and proprietary technology for the diagnosis and treatment of patients in the areas of oncology, cardiology and neurology. POSICAM systems are in use at leading medical facilities, including the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Yale University/Veterans Administration, Crawford Long Hospital, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital in Jerusalem, Israel, and Hermann Hospital.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release may contain forward-looking statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions and other statements which are other than statements of historical facts. Certain statements contained herein are forward-looking statements and, accordingly, involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The Company's expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed by the Company to have a reasonable basis, including, without limitations, management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Company's records and other data available from third parties, but there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs or projections will result or be achieved or accomplished. In addition to other factors and matters discussed elsewhere herein, the following are important factors that, in the view of the Company, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements: the ability of the Company to attain widespread market acceptance of its POSICAM(TM) systems; the ability of the Company to obtain acceptable forms and amounts of financing to fund future operations; demand for the Company's services; and competitive factors. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.
Contact:
Positron Corporation
Robin Kelley, 650/742-8805 (Investor Relations)
Gary Brooks, 650/742-8805 |
