EDAP Appoints Medical Director; Enhanced Marketing and Clinical Team Positioned for HIFU Success and High Growth

LYON, France, Dec. 6  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EDAP TMS S.A. (NASDAQ:EDAP), the world leader in High Intensity Focused Ultrasound treatment of localized prostate cancer, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Raphael Varona as Medical Director. Dr. Varona will assist physicians in using the Ablatherm(R)-HIFU, particularly in the early stages, and will enhance market education. He will work to advance reimbursement efforts for HIFU therapy with authorities in European countries where reimbursement is still pending. Dr. Varona will expand the already significant body of HIFU clinical data while adding to clinical credibility and support from EDAP's key opinion leaders and will help enhance the clinical benefits provided to the patients with Ablatherm(R)-HIFU compared to established treatment modalities. He will be the reporting person for follow-up on FDA clinical trial progress, together with EDAP's U.S. partner HealthTronics. Finally, while assisting in positioning the Ablatherm-HIFU treatment, Dr. Varona will also work on developing additional HIFU applications.

Dr. Varona is a medical doctor specializing in Public Health and Epidemiology. He has worked in the international pharmaceutical industry since 1990 with responsibilities in clinical development, project management and medical support for marketing in multiple therapeutic areas. Throughout his career, Dr. Varona has accumulated strong experience in urology and especially in oncology. Dr. Varona served as European Clinical Project Manager for Dupont Pharma (a subsidiary of Dupont de Nemours) prior to acquisition by Bristol- Myers Squibb Corp. and recently worked for UCB Pharma, a multinational company, as a clinical research physician. He has substantial experience in successfully bringing new medical products to market, coordinating multicentric studies, and developing clinical and marketing strategy. He obtained a Medical degree from the University of Zaragoza, Spain, and specialized in Public Health, from University of Nancy, France. Dr. Varona is fluent in English, Spanish and French.

"I am impressed by the compelling clinical outcomes of Ablatherm-HIFU and the rapidly growing number of centers promoting the therapy worldwide. EDAP is clearly the market leader as indicated by its reputation in the medical community with Ablatherm-HIFU positioned as the alternative for localized prostate cancer treatment even in some of the most difficult cases. I am convinced Ablatherm-HIFU is positioned to grow rapidly in existing markets as well as continue to expand its worldwide presence by continuing to demonstrate its value to local medical communities. I am very excited by the benefits that HIFU therapeutic principles bring to the patient and look forward to expanding its potential indications for prostate cancer and beyond," said Dr. Varona.

Hugues de Bantel, EDAP's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "With a stronger-than-ever management team and our confirmed leadership position in clinical credibility on HIFU for prostate cancer, we are clearly heading for high growth. As we committed to our shareholders earlier this year, we have strengthened our marketing and clinical team and are ready to drive an international marketing campaign to educate doctors, patients and reimbursement providers and accelerate our sales capabilities. To do so, Dr. Varona will be working closely with Fabrice Romano, our Marketing Director. Together, they will champion our cause to increase public awareness and accelerate market acceptance of HIFU as a preferred treatment for prostate cancer. We look forward to reporting to our shareholders very soon about EDAP's current exciting progress in new installations and cost-per-procedure business growth."

About EDAP TMS S.A.

EDAP TMS S.A. develops and markets Ablatherm, the most advanced and clinically proven choice for High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) treatment of localized prostate cancer. HIFU treatment is shown to be a minimally invasive and effective treatment option with a low occurrence of side effects. The company is also developing this technology for the treatment of certain other types of tumors. EDAP TMS S.A. also produces and commercializes medical equipment for treatment of urinary tract stones using Extra-corporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL).

For more information on the Company, contact the Investor Relations Dept by phone at [phone] or see the Company's Web site at: http://www.edap-tms.com/ .

This press release contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These include statements regarding the Company's growth and expansion plans. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

   CONTACT: EDAP TMS S.A.
            Hugues de Bantel - Philippe Chauveau
            Blandine Confort
            [phone]

            Halliburton Investor Relations
            Matt Kreps - Geralyn DeBusk
            972 458 8000


DATASOURCE: EDAP TMS S.A.



CONTACT:  Hugues de Bantel, Philippe Chauveau or Blandine Confort, all of

EDAP TMS S.A., [phone]; or Matt Kreps or Geralyn DeBusk, both of

Halliburton Investor Relations, [phone], for EDAP TMS S.A.



Web site:  http://www.edap-tms.com/ 

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