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| New York Times Front Page Story Features HIFU Prostate Cancer Treatment with Sonablate 500 from Misonix |
FARMINGDALE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 22, 2008--Misonix, Inc. (Nasdaq: MSON), a developer of minimally invasive ultrasonic medical device technology for the treatment of cancer and other chronic health conditions, today reported that the January 18, 2008 issue of The New York Times contained a cover story featuring the use of high intensity focused ultrasound ("HIFU") for prostate cancer treatment performed with the Sonablate(R)500 ("SB500") manufactured by Misonix. According to the article, Dr. George M. Suarez, medical director of Charlotte, N.C.-based US HIFU which provides treatment using the SB500, noted that he recommends this procedure because he believes it works as well as surgery or radiation, with fewer side effects. Misonix currently markets the HIFU medical device in 16 countries through a network of distributors and licensed medical professionals. "The front page article in the New York Times makes note of the increasing concern for and attention to the terrible disease of prostate cancer," commented Michael A. McManus, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Misonix. "Many men have gone from believing they are relatively healthy to being told they have cancer. Men and their families are concerned not only about their cancer treatment, but also the important lifestyle issues of incontinence and impotence. In this regard, men are doing more research on the subject of prostate cancer and are looking at choices. "HIFU has been gaining momentum around the world as an acceptable alternative procedure. We are very pleased with the progress being made educating men on the results that are being realized with a HIFU procedure. There have been more than 10,000 procedures using HIFU throughout the world. Results with the latest technology show that HIFU can eradicate the cancer and demonstrate the same or better results with regard to incontinence and impotence. We hope that ongoing clinicals in the U.S. will result in the approval of HIFU by the FDA as an approved choice. We believe most people understand that important new technology will not, by definition, have ten years of reported results. We are excited about the acceptance of HIFU as a treatment for prostate cancer. "We believe that HIFU can be an important treatment for many medical conditions beyond prostate cancer. Misonix is already working on the use of HIFU for the treatment of kidney tissue in patients with procedures at Oxford University and the University of Vienna. We will soon be working on using HIFU in the liver and breast. Misonix has the present capability to be a leader in HIFU treatment in many new applications and we will continue to work on these developments." Among the SB500 patients profiled in The New York Times story was Gary Crissman, 54, a manufacturer's representative from Pittsburgh, who was treated in a Mexican clinic one weekend in December. "Mr. Crissman said he had considered surgery and radiation, but worried about the common side effects of both -- sexual impotence and urinary incontinence...Afterward, he said, his procedure was such a pain-free "breeze" that he celebrated with a Mexican buffet dinner in his hotel's restaurant." Three weeks later he concluded in a follow-up interview that "everything works." The SB500 has been used in over 5,000 procedures worldwide. In a study previously announced by Misonix, prostate cancer treatment using the latest advancements for the SB500 showed successful outcomes that exceeded published reports for other HIFU devices and rivaled that of traditional surgical treatment. Important advantages of the SB500 over traditional surgery include that it is a non-invasive procedure that is performed on an out-patient basis and that, because it does not involve radiation, it can be repeated if necessary. The SB500 can also be used to retreat patients who received unsuccessful radiation treatment. The SB500's core HIFU technology was developed by Focus Surgery, Inc. of Indianapolis, IN, one of the most prominent developers of HIFU in the world, and the device is manufactured by Misonix. Misonix also has the exclusive European distribution rights for the SB500 for prostate cancer, and the license to use the HIFU technology in the treatment of kidney, liver and breast tissue worldwide, including the United States. Misonix, US HIFU, Inc., and Takai Hospital Supply Co., Ltd. of Japan collectively own a majority stake in privately-held Focus Surgery. About Misonix: Misonix, Inc. (NASDAQ: MSON) designs, develops, manufactures, and markets, therapeutic ultrasonic medical devices, and laboratory equipment. Misonix's therapeutic ultrasonic platform is the basis for several innovative medical technologies. Misonix has a minority equity position in Focus Surgery, Inc. which uses high intensity focused ultrasound technology to destroy deep-seated cancerous tissue without affecting surrounding healthy tissue. Addressing a combined market estimated to be in excess of $3 billion annually; Misonix's proprietary ultrasonic medical devices are used for wound debridement, cosmetic surgery, neurosurgery, laparoscopic surgery, and other surgical and medical applications. Additional information is available on the Company's Web site at www.misonix.com. With the exception of historical information contained in this press release, content herein may contain "forward looking statements" that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These factors include general economic conditions, delays and risks associated with the performance of contracts, risks associated with intentional tasks and currency fluctuation, uncertainties as a result of research and development, acceptable results from clinical studies, including publication of results and patient/procedure data with varying levels of statistical relevancy, risks involved in introducing and marketing new products, potential acquisitions, consumer and industry acceptance, litigation and/or court proceedings, including the timing and monetary requirements of such activities, the timing of finding strategic partners and implementing such relationships, regulatory risks including approval of pending and/or contemplated 510(k) filings, the ability to achieve and maintain profitability in the Company's business lines, and other factors discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The Company disclaims any obligation to update its forward-looking relationships.
CONTACT: Misonix |
