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InterCommunity Cancer Center in Leesburg Introduces IsoRay Medical, Inc.'s Cesium-131 Medical Isotope for Treating Prostate Cancer; First Implant in Florida Using Breakthrough Treatment Scheduled for Today (Wednesday, April 26)

Posted on: Wednesday, 26 April 2006, 09:00 CDT

Cesium-131, a breakthrough treatment for prostate cancer, is now available to patients in the central Florida region at InterCommunity Cancer Center in Leesburg. The implant, using Cesium-131 produced by IsoRay Medical, Inc. (OTCBB:ISRY) will be the first in Florida to offer the new treatment option for prostate cancer patients.

The medical isotope represents the first major advancement in low dose radiation (LDR) seed brachytherapy in more than 18 years.

Dr. Hal Jacobson, MD, a radiation oncologist with InterCommunity Cancer Center and Dr. Fouad Shami, a urologist in Leesburg, will perform the first procedure using the Cesium-131 isotope today (April 26). InterCommunity Cancer Center was founded in Leesburg in 1985 and is a leader in providing the most comprehensive and technologically advanced cancer treatments. Dr. Shami is one of the founding physicians of Lake Urology Clinic--one of the largest urology clinics in Central Florida.

Richland, Washington-based IsoRay Medical is the world's only manufacturer and distributor of Cesium-131 isotope seeds. IsoRay Medical received Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval to market its Cesium-131 seed for the treatment of prostate cancer and other malignancies in March 2003.

"We believe Cesium-131 to be a very effective new option for men choosing brachytherapy to treat their prostate cancer," said Dr. Jacobson. "We expect it to kill the cancerous cells more rapidly with a shorter duration of side-effects compared to other brachytherapy options. Ideally, this will allow patients to return to a normal lifestyle as quick as possible."

Dr. Jacobson stated that the Cesium-131 seed developed by IsoRay Medical offers a significantly shorter half-life, which results in a substantially faster delivery of the total radiation dose compared with the other types of seeds currently on the market.

In seed brachytherapy, radioactive seeds are implanted directly into the prostate gland during a procedure that is fast and convenient. Using Cesium-131, the treatment typically allows patients to return to normal daily activities within two to three days.

More than 230,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States this year. Medicare and Medicaid have established a specific reimbursement code for Cesium-131, and most insurance companies also cover low-dose (LDR) seed brachytherapy.

IsoRay Medical Chairman and CEO Roger Girard recently announced that during the past seven weeks, eight new medical centers have been added to the list of centers offering the Cesium-131 treatment option, bringing the total to 44.

"In addition to the positive response from the medical community, the number of inquiries from potential Cesium-131 patients has increased dramatically," said Girard. "Both physicians and patients want to know all their options when treating this cancer."

New sites have been added in the New York City metro area, California, Florida and other locations. Other centers include the Arnold Palmer Prostate Center at Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center in Palm Springs, the Duke University Health System and New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

The first Cesium-131 implant was performed in October 2004 at the University of Washington Medical Center. Other forms of delivery devices for the proprietary isotope are planned, including protocols for both the lung and pancreas.

For more information about Cesium-131 or IsoRay, Inc., visit www.isoray.com or www.cesium131.com

About IsoRay

IsoRay, Inc., through its subsidiary, IsoRay Medical, Inc., is the sole producer of the Cesium-131 brachytherapy seed, used to treat prostate and other cancers. The Cesium-131 seed offers a significantly shorter half-life than the two other isotopes commonly used for brachytherapy, which results in a substantially faster delivery of therapeutic radiation, lower probability of cancer cell survival and reduction of the longevity of common brachytherapy side effects. IsoRay is based in Richland, Washington. More information is available about IsoRay at www.isoray.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements in this news release about IsoRay's future expectations, including: the advantages of our Cesium-131 seed, the level of market share our seed may attain, and all other statements in this release, other than historical facts, are forward-looking statements. It is important to note that actual results and ultimate corporate actions could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements based on such factors as physician acceptance, training and use of our products, our ability to successfully manufacture, market and sell our products, our ability to manufacture our products in sufficient quantities to meet demand within required delivery time periods while meeting our quality control standards, and our ability to enforce our intellectual property rights, and other risks detailed from time to time in IsoRay's reports filed with the SEC.

Source: Business Wire

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