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Biotech / Medical : Summit Technology (BEAM) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: ajs who wrote (717)	2/28/1998 4:18:00 PM
From: Manny Gugliuzza	Respond to of 1386

everyone*** another technical upgrade today: suretrade.stkwtch.com looking for a break to the upside next week. good luck ar.

To: ajs who wrote (717)	2/28/1998 11:32:00 PM
From: pappy	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1386

AJS: I've been so busy at work that I've had little time to do any follow-up since my last telephone call with Summit Technology. I've played telephone tag with Summit IR but finally just couldn't take the time too keep it up. My last conversation with Paula at Summit IR was around January 19, 1998 and the following response was given:. Q: Anything new with Astigmatism approval. A; Yes, SUMMIT has been INFORMED that no other data or information needs to be submitted to the FDA. In addition, BEAM is in constant daily communication with the FDA pushing for an answer. However, apparently the FDA is short staff (I can attest to that being a government employee) and that appears to be what the hold up is. Summit indicated approval could come any day, but now indicates, they better have an answer from FDA by the end of the quarter or Summit's going to request an inquiry as to shortage of personnel and how this is hurting Summit. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I picked up a Barron 's Magazine today (March 2, 1998 issue) and on page 50, Summit Technology made it into the INSIDER TRANSACTION SECTION as one of the largest NON-BANK COMPANIES with the largest % changes in insider holdings over the last 6 months. It wasn't a large amount (hell, I own over triple the amount) but 4 insiders purchased 7000 shares. All I'll say, it was better than reading one of the Largest NON-BANK COMPANIES with the largest % decreases in insider holdings. I'll try to make time and contact BEAM IR next week and update you with the latest news...Pappy

To: ajs who wrote (717)	3/2/1998
From: pappy	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1386

AJS: Dragged these responses over from Yahoo. This guy is an optometrist and indicates BEAM should get approval sometime in the first week of March: Here's a couple of his responses: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As an optometrist I have referred over 20 patients including my 18 year old daughter for prk on the summmit apex laser. Every one of them has had a result which has met if not surpassed their expectations If the patient is simply myopic the summit is an excellent instrument. If and when they receive approval for astigmatism and high myopia they will have the finest laser on the market. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subj: Laser vision v. Summit By: eyedoc50 Date: Mar 1 1998 4:35 P.M PST Reply To: Msg. 161 by nsfdglksjh Different moniker at this terminal, still lobby50. Summit and Visx were approved in 1996 for prk which is surface ablation of the cornea to alter the architecture thus reducing myopia. Summit was approved first followed by Visx a few months later. These were the only two lasers the FDA approved until two weeks ago when Autonomous received approval. Lasik is a procedure in which the surgeon, using a microkeratome, probably produced by Chiron, creates a flap approximately 6-7 millimeters in diameter and 150 microns thick on the surface of the cornea. The flap is lifted exposing the corneal stroma. The laser is the applied to the stroma then the flap is placed back in position. The advantage is much quicker healing time and visual recovery. With surface prk a corneal abrasion is left following application of the laser which takes about 2-3 days to heal. Complete visual recovery may take from 10 days to 6 months depending on how much myopia is being corrected. The FDA has yet to endorse lasik but surgeons are able to perform it if in their opinion it is the best procedure for their patients. Keep in mind that the cornea is only one-half millimeter thick at its center-thats 500 microns. To make a smooth incision and lift a flap of cornea tha is only 15-20% of the thickness requires a very skilled surgeon. If the surgeon inadvertently perforates the cornea it big time trouble requiring a corneal transplant. The question is whether it worth the risk for a more immediate result. There are a few other complications that occur later with lasik such as lost corneal caps and a few others. Although visx received laser approval after summit for myopia the received approval for high myopia ie. between 7 and 12 diopters and astigmatism up to 4 diopters in sept 97. Summit has been telling their laser owners that approval is to be announced any day now. On Friday Feb 27 I heard from a very good source that approval is to be announced the first week of March. With Summit's approval they will employ a different method of laser application. The beam will applied to the cornea in a continously increasing beam diameter as opposed to a step-wise increase in beam diameter-sort of analog vs. digital. This gives a much better healing response and allows for a customized ablation for oddly shaped corneas. This uses an ablatable mask which will be installed in the laser for each procedure. Whether the precedure is being performed on the corneal surface or the srroma after a flap is lifted is independent of the laser being used. Laser vision centers is a management company that purchases lasers then leases them to surgeons. Along with this is their marketing expertise and management support. I am not that familiar with their centers but I believe most of them are already existing doctors offices similar to a franchise. Most of the new lasers they are purchasing are visx due to their expanded capabilities. It will interesting to see if they lean toward summit when they are approved for astigmatism and high myopia. TLC or The Laser Center is a laser manaement company that owns most of its centers or is in partnership with the existing surgeon by buying out a portion ot the practice assets. Their stock climbed 25-30% in the past month with their purchase of two large ophthalmological practices in Michigan and Wisconsin. Clearvision is another company that also has a mobile laser available. Until last week I had no stake in Summit but simply follow it because I'm a parnter in a independent laser center which owns a summit laser. Naturally we are anxious for FDA approval of astigmatism and high myopia. The info I got on Friday Feb 27 was not from summit sources. I think it is more reliable. I'm hoping this will take a sudden turn for the better with this news--purely a speculative move Hope I wasn't too verbose in my response. Good luck.