Business, oncology, surgery  

Misonix expands distribution of ultrasound surgical devices in Europe

21 February 2007

Farmingdale, NY. USA. Misonix, Inc. (NASDAQ: MSON), developer of ultrasonic medical device technology for the treatment of cancer and other chronic health conditions, has entered into an agreement with Takai Hospital Supply Co, Ltd (THSI) to market the Sonablate 500 in Turkey, Greece and Cyprus.

The Sonablate 500 (SB500) is a high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) device for the treatment of prostate cancer. The device was  developed by Focus Surgery, Inc. and is manufactured by Misonix.

Misonix is an investor in privately-held Focus Surgery, one of the most prominent developers of HIFU. THSI also is an investor in Focus Surgery and has the exclusive rights to market the SB500 in Asia, Australia, Japan and part of the middle east, where it has been successfully distributing the product since 2001, including the product’s first international shipment.

“We are very pleased to be working with THSI in further penetrating Europe,” stated Michael A. McManus, Jr., President and CEO of Misonix. “Kazuo Takai and David Quigley of THIS have been friends for many years and we look forward to working closely together.”

According to the Comprehensive Cancer Monitoring Program in Europe, there are over 200,000 new cases of prostate cancer on the continent annually, creating a tremendous opportunity for Misonix. The European market is estimated to be the approximate equivalent of that in the United States. HIFU treatment using the SB500 is an approved procedure in most European countries. Prior to the entry into Turkey, Greece and Cyprus, the procedure has been available in 11 European countries, and to date over 4,000 SB500 treatments have been completed worldwide.

Misonix has also announced the expansion of its ultrasonic neuroaspirator product line into Eastern and Central Europe. As part of this expansion, Misonix entered into a distribution agreement with NORTH MED spol. s.r.o. for the FS1000RF Sonastar Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator system, one of the products available under the Companys Neuroaspirator line. NORTH MED, a distributor of and service company for medical devices and equipment, has been named the exclusive distributor for Misonixs FS1000RF Sonastar Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator for both the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic. NORTH MED will be distributing the FS1000RF primarily into the neurosurgery markets of these nations.

The Sonastar allows surgeons to precisely remove both soft and hard tissue such as brain and spinal tumors, boney processes and liver tumors. The FS1000RF Ultrasonic Aspirator System is indicated for use in the fragmentation, emulsification and aspiration of soft and hard (i.e. bone) tissue in the following surgical specialties: neurosurgery, general, gynecological, plastic and reconstructive, orthopedic, urological, thoracic, thoracoscopic, laparoscopic and gastrointestinal surgery.

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