EDAP TMS S.A. Reports Continued Success in Ablatherm-HIFU at AUA Conference; Ongoing European, Canadian Growth; Strong Interest

LYON, France, May 25  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EDAP TMS S.A. (NASDAQ:EDAP) continued its global leadership presence in HIFU for localized prostate cancer at the 2006 American Urology Association (AUA) Conference held in Atlanta, Ga.  In addition to ongoing growing interest in HIFU amongst American urologists gathering information at the EDAP booth, Ablatherm(R)-HIFU users presented posters, courses and updates on their experience in key markets during the conference.

Two posters were included in the conference materials.  A poster presented by Chaussy, Thuroff and Bergdorf of Munich, Germany, itemized 23 significant distinct differences in HIFU technology parameters used in localized prostate cancer treatment concluding clinical data should not be pooled between the devices.  Key items available only with Ablatherm-HIFU include multiple features used in safety protocols, published studies reporting PSA nadir medians less than 0.1, catheter time of less than 1 week average, 3-D imaging from an inline 7.5 MHz probe providing best-in-class visualization and long- term follow up on efficacy published after peer review.  A second poster provided by Chaussy, Thuroff and Knauer of Munich, Germany, summarized 10-year experience data on more than 1,300 Ablatherm-HIFU treatments.  In 1,078 primary treatments, incontinence at more than 3 months occurred in 1.7% of patients and median catheter time was reported at 5 days.  Additional results were reported in secondary HIFU treatment and salvage treatment options, outlining the importance of selected indications on the recorded side effects. The poster concluded that Ablatherm-HIFU offers considerably lower side effects than current therapies.

A study course was co-presented by Jean De La Rosette, MD, Department of Urology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.  The course, titled, Ablative Oncology:  Radiofrequency, Cryosurgery and High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), provided a detailed overview of HIFU concepts, application and indications where HIFU is considered a growing therapeutic option.  Included was a detailed discussion of short-term and long-term results from multiple peer-reviewed published Ablatherm-HIFU studies as well as results of nerve sparing and salvage therapy cases.

The study course demonstrated Ablatherm-HIFU is now an accepted therapeutic recommendation for patients who are not surgical candidates or patients who wish avoid surgery or radiation.  In particular, the benefits of Ablatherm-HIFU include very low rates of side effect complications as the treatment leaves surrounding tissues unharmed and the treatment is repeatable without toxicity effects.  Also the treatment is attractive to patients as it allows them to leave the hospital within 24 hours, possibly catheter free depending on the protocols and patient indications.  In determining treatment recommendations, Ablatherm-HIFU has a clearly demonstrated profile allowing doctors and patients to assess the potential outcomes against other treatment modalities.  Adherence to these protocols and treatment parameters allows the outcomes to be clearly reproducible from center to center and within patient risk categories.

The growing interest from expanding use of Ablatherm-HIFU in Europe, where more than 106 sites are presently offering treatment in increasing quantity as well as continuing advances in clinical credibility, generated solid interest at the EDAP booth where reference materials, an interactive video education course and current users were available to provide information to interested urologists and introduce the Ablatherm-HIFU technology.

"We were very pleased with the interest shown in Ablatherm-HIFU by urologists attending the AUA conference," said Fabrice Romano, director of marketing.  "We had several urologists from international sites inquire about offering Ablatherm-HIFU at their locations and significant interest from American urologists who are seeing the already substantial growth in utilization in Europe.  Many American doctors new to HIFU were surprised to learn of the strong clinical reports on Ablatherm-HIFU during the conference and in peer reviewed journals clearly demonstrating the technique is now routinely used in Europe for patients diagnosed with localized prostate cancer who are not good candidates for surgery.  We had numerous inquiries about treating American patients as an increasing number of men from North America are seeking Ablatherm-HIFU treatment in Canada and Europe once they learn of the unique benefits of the therapy."

"Following an outstanding EAU conference in April and strong growth in treatments of more than 20% reported in the first quarter prior to the effect of our new marketing strategies we are very pleased with the interest in Ablatherm-HIFU by urologists attending the AUA," said Hugues de Bantel, CEO of EDAP.  "Many US doctors were quite surprised the treatment was not already available in the United States when they learned of the European clinical data and publications supporting Ablatherm-HIFU therapy.  We were also pleased to have the opportunity to meet with several of our European clinical leaders assisting us in growing treatments in key European markets and introduce them to American urologists.  There is an emerging consensus in Europe that in selected patients diagnosed with localized prostate cancer who are not good candidates for surgery, Ablatherm-HIFU appears to be a very attractive option with considerably lower co-morbidity and high quality of life preservation.

"We are also very excited to hear reports of increasing treatments at our Maple Leaf HIFU clinical partner location in Toronto, Canada, where approximately 20 procedures are already planned for both May and June and patients are already scheduling treatments in July.  Ablatherm-HIFU's clear position as the global leader in HIFU for localized prostate cancer presents a solution for patients seeking a treatment that will offer high confidence in efficacy combined with clear preservation of quality of life.  As patients from any location in the world are finding more information on Ablatherm-HIFU, in particular through our dedicated informative web site http://www.hifu-planet.com/ , there is a clear trend of increasing inquiries and desire to choose Ablatherm-HIFU treatment.  We will continue to advance patient awareness and practitioner education in key markets in Europe on the right indications for Ablatherm-HIFU and its quality of life benefits to drive treatment increases beyond the growth we are already seeing."

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.  Ablatherm-HIFU is generally recommended for patients with localized prostate cancer (stages T1-T2) who are not candidates for surgery or who prefer an alternative option or patients who failed radiotherapy treatment. 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 Halliburton Investor Relations at [phone], the Corporate Investor Relations Dept at [phone] or see the Company's Web sites at http://www.edap-tms.com/ and http://www.hifu-planet.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. Ablatherm-HIFU treatment is in clinical trials but not yet FDA approved or marketed in the United States.

   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/

http://www.hifu-planet.com/ 

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