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Misonix Spotlights HIFU Medical Devices for Prostate and Kidney Cancer Treatment at European Association of Urology Conference 2007

Posted on: Tuesday, 20 March 2007, 12:01 CDT

Misonix, Inc. (Nasdaq: MSON) today announced the first of several events to spotlight its world leading therapeutic prostate and kidney cancer medical devices using high intensity focused ultrasound ("HIFU"). The first of these initiatives is the participation with an exposition booth (Hall 16, Booth #5) at the European Association of Urology Conference 2007 in Berlin, Germany, from March 21 through March 24. The European Association of Urology ("EAU") is the largest scientific urological organization in Europe. The EAU connects 16,000 urologists, urologists-in-training and urological scientists in Europe and worldwide.

At EAU 2007 Misonix will showcase the Sonablate 500 ("SB500"), a medical device developed by Focus Surgery, Inc. and manufactured by Misonix. Misonix also has the exclusive European distribution rights for the product. Misonix is an investor in privately-held Focus Surgery, one of the most prominent developers of HIFU in the world. Utilizing the same technology as in the SB500, Misonix has developed the Sonatherm 600 ("Sonatherm") for HIFU treatment of soft tissue, including cancerous tissue in the kidney. The Sonatherm has been developed by Misonix in connection with the worldwide license to manufacture, market and sell HIFU medical devices relating to the treatment of tissue in the kidney, liver and breast that it acquired from Focus Surgery.

Sonablate 500 HIFU -- The Most Important Emerging Trend for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer

As the most influential European medical society with direct relevance to healthcare practitioners that are constantly seeking the latest technology for treating prostate conditions, Misonix is using the 2007 event to showcase the progress it has achieved and to continue the momentum that is positioning the SB500 as the most important emerging trend for the treatment of prostate cancer. It was at the annual EAU Conference last year in Paris, France, that Misonix first announced the results of a study using the SB500 for Visually Directed HIFU that set new and higher standards for successful prostate cancer treatment. The study reported that 84% of patients were able to achieve success as measured by PSA nadir levels dropping to 0.2ng/ml or less after treatment. This measurement for success using the SB500 has not been achieved by previous published HIFU techniques; these PSA nadirs are typically associated with a surgical approach.

As a result of the impressive performance revealed in the study and the efforts by Misonix to broaden the use of the SB500, the product is presently marketed by distribution partners in 16 European countries, which is nearly double the number of countries served since the 2006 EAU Conference.

SB500 User Group Meeting and Featured Technology at ESUT Symposium

Leading urologists from throughout Europe are expected to join Misonix and its local delegates in the latest European SB500 User Group Meeting. Researchers will address clinical results and progress reports to date, training procedures, and the latest advancements in HIFU technology. In addition, the SB500 has been selected as a featured technology at the European Society for Uro-Technology ("ESUT") symposium as a complementary medical forum to EAU 2007. At the ESUT event, a prostate cancer treatment procedure using the SB500 will be performed live and will be transmitted for viewing from the operating theater in Rotenburg, Germany.

SB500 -- New Product Launches

Misonix is taking the opportunity at the EAU for its European launch of a new probe designed for the treatment of larger prostates using the SB500. Patients with large prostates may have required short-term hormone treatment in order to downsize the organ or, with some technologies, undergo a separate surgical procedure for the transurethral resection of the prostate ("TURP") to reduce overall mass. The new longer focal length probe from Misonix for the SB500 has been specifically designed to enable prostates of around 45cc in size to be treated in a single procedure without any hormones or separate surgical procedure.

This launch coincides with the introduction of software improvements in planning and visualization of the prostate using state of the art 3D reconstruction to interactively model and treat the organ. The latest software version for enhanced visualization was developed to accommodate the new probe. The software powers the new probe with High Definition capability that enables surgeons to treat larger prostates and those prostates that may have been previously treated through different modalities, such as traditional or radiation which have failed to eradicate the cancer.

Sonatherm 600 -- HIFU Treatment of Kidney Cancer

Another important and groundbreaking event conducted by Misonix is the first ever international Laparoscopic Kidney HIFU study group meeting. The meeting will be chaired by Dr. Michael A. Marberger. Dr. Marberger is Chairman and Professor of the Department of Urology, Vienna, Austria. He is an authority and respected lecturer on ultrasonic medical devices used in urological applications. Based on successful clinical studies conducted for Misonix in other parts of the world, the Sonatherm has been demonstrated as a technologically advanced medical device for minimally invasive procedures that ablate cancerous tissue without the need to puncture the kidney organ.

Commenting on the events surrounding EAU 2007, Michael A. McManus, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Misonix, said, "We are energized by the opportunities presented to us by participating in EUA 2007. In leveraging the most important annual European conference for our world leading products, we are building on the stronghold already created for our HIFU-powered medical devices for the treatment of soft tissue cancers. The SB500 is clearly the most important trend for the treatment of prostate cancer in Europe as well as around the world. And our relatively new Sonatherm 600 device for HIFU treatment of kidney cancer is gaining momentum. Our continued investments in these products should heighten the role Misonix plays in the global medical device market for improving surgical outcomes and saving lives."

About Misonix:

Misonix, Inc. (NASDAQ: MSON) designs, develops, manufactures, and markets medical, scientific, and industrial ultrasonic equipment, laboratory safety equipment, and air pollution control products. Misonix's 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 tissues 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, uncertainties as a result of research and development, potential acquisitions, consumer and industry acceptance, litigation and/or court proceedings, including the timing and monetary requirements of such activities, 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.

Source: Business Wire

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