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Biotech / Medical : VIDA - Hot Stock with new prostate procedure -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: dper who wrote (558)	1/7/2000 10:00:00 AM
From: dper	Respond to of 564

January 7, 4:00 am Eastern Time Company Press Release VidaMed Reports Fourth Quarter U.S. TUNA Fee-Per-Use Procedure Volume Up 74% Over Third Quarter Indiana and Kentucky Approve Medicare Reimbursement of TUNA, Bringing Total to 46 States FREMONT, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 7, 2000-- VidaMed, Inc. (NASDAQ: VIDA - news) today reported that an estimated 446 TUNA System (Transurethral Needle Ablation) fee-per-use (FPU) procedures were performed in the U.S. during the 1999 fourth quarter ended December 31, 1999, an increase of approximately 74% compared with 256 in the previous quarter. During the fourth quarter, 37 additional new physician customers entered the Company's FPU program and performed the TUNA procedure, compared with 26 new FPU physician customers during the third quarter, and 13 during each of the first and second quarters. A total of 876 TUNA procedures were performed in the U.S. during the 1999 fourth quarter, up 26% from the 697 procedures performed during the previous quarter and up 236% from the 261 procedures performed during the 1998 fourth quarter. ``We are extremely pleased with the growth in our FPU business and the expansion of our FPU customer base,' commented Randy Lindholm, President and Chief Executive Officer. ``Since the full-scale implementation of our fee-per-use program, the number of procedures performed increased more than 70% for three consecutive quarters. We attribute this growth primarily to the acceptance of the clinical efficacy and durability of the TUNA procedure, increasing Medicare reimbursement and the economic opportunity that the procedure affords to both the physician and hospital.' VidaMed also reported that Indiana and Kentucky have approved Medicare reimbursement for the TUNA procedure performed in hospitals, effective immediately. The addition of these approvals brings the total number of states reimbursing the TUNA procedure to 46. The Company's TUNA System offers a minimally invasive, less than one hour, outpatient treatment for the symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). These important quality-of-life symptoms include frequent and urgent urination, interruption of stream and nocturia (excessive urination at night), which may lead to sleep deprivation and related problems such as loss of libido and impairment of sexual function. The TUNA procedure is an ideal solution after drug therapy has failed and when Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) is not an option. TUNA has been proven to be clinically safe, efficacious and durable and significantly improves the quality-of-life for BPH sufferers. VidaMed designs, develops and markets technologically and clinically advanced cost-effective systems for the treatment of urological conditions. For investor information, please call (800) 363-2994 or visit the Company's Web site at www.vidamed.com. Certain statements in this news release, including, but not limited to, statements relating to the increasing demand for the TUNA procedure, contain forward-looking information. Actual results may vary significantly from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties, including the rate of adoption of the TUNA procedure by the medical community, the impact of competitive treatments, products and pricing, the development and effectiveness of the Company's sales organization and marketing efforts, continuing Medicare reimbursement and other risks, including those set forth in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.