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Sagemark To Enter Cancer Treatment Market With TomoTherapy(R) Hi--Art Systems(R)

Posted on: Wednesday, 9 May 2007, 15:00 CDT

The Sagemark Companies Ltd (OTCBB:SKCO), a national owner and operator of outpatient medical diagnostic imaging centers that utilize positron emission tomography (PET) and PET and computed tomography (PET/CT), announced today that as a complement to its existing operations, it is entering the cancer treatment field deploying an advanced radiation therapy system developed by TomoTherapy Incorporated (Nasdaq: TTPY).

Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Premier TomoTherapy Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Inc., the Company plans to develop state-of-the-art cancer treatment centers installing TomoTherapy Hi·Art Systems, the industry's most advanced radiation therapy system.

"We looked at several options and concluded that this technology is different and unique, essentially a step above the rest," explained Michael Fagien, MD, Chief Medical Officer of The Sagemark Companies Ltd. "We are certain the patients at our medical centers will benefit tremendously from TomoTherapy since the radiation can be pinpointed exactly where it needs to go, minimizing damage to healthy tissues and reducing side effects."

The Company has placed an order for its first three TomoTherapy Hi-Art Systems and is just finalizing the premise lease for its first TomoTherapy cancer treatment center which will be located in the New York Tri-state area and plans, upon the consummation of its financing, to have the facility operational this year. A number of additional sites are under consideration for its second and third TomoTherapy cancer treatment centers.

Incorporating features that facilitate treatment planning, dose targeting, precise treatment delivery, and effective adaptive planning, the TomoTherapy Hi·Art System combines on-board CT imaging with conformal radiation therapy to provide unprecedented precision in the treatment of cancer patients. The TomoTherapy Hi·Art System is designed to target radiation treatment to the patient's tumor while helping to limit damage to the surrounding tissues. "By combining image guidance and the most precise delivery pattern possible, our system optimizes the tools of radiation therapy, while simplifying the process," advises Frederick A. Robertson, MD, CEO of TomoTherapy Incorporated.

"The TomoTherapy radiation therapy system is a perfect complement to the work we now do with physicians using PET and PET/CT imaging," stated Stephen A. Schulman, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Premier PET Imaging International, Inc., the Company's wholly owned subsidiary. "Our cancer treatment centers will draw from the same referring physician base that we have developed over the past six years with our medical diagnostic imaging centers. Our PET and PET/CT systems are used by physicians to diagnose and stage cancer. Our TomoTherapy radiation therapy treatment centers will be used by those same physicians, as well as others, to treat cancer which is detected in their patients who utilize the imaging services of our imaging centers," stated Dr. Schulman.

"The Company is in discussions with a number of joint venture partners and other financing sources to fund the capital required to pursue this opportunity and the Company's ongoing operations. We believe that our entry into this market will have a positive effect on the Company's profitability and shareholder value, as well as remarkable outcomes for those patients to be treated by the cutting-edge technology deployed in the TomoTherapy radiation therapy system," stated Ted Shapiro, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Sagemark Companies Ltd.

About The Sagemark Companies Ltd.

The Sagemark Companies Ltd. owns, operates and administers outpatient medical diagnostic imaging centers that utilize positron emission tomography (PET), and PET and computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging equipment. PET is an advanced medical diagnostic imaging procedure used by physicians in the detection and staging of certain cancers, coronary disease and neurological disorders. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Premier TomoTherapy Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Inc., the Company plans to develop state-of-the-art cancer treatment centers installing TomoTherapy Hi·Art Systems (OTCBB: SKCO).

About TomoTherapy Incorporated

TomoTherapy Incorporated has developed, manufactures and sells the Hi·Art® system, one of the most advanced and versatile radiation therapy systems commercially available for the treatment of a wide variety of cancers. To find out more visit www.tomotherapy.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.


Source: Business Wire

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