1 MEDICAL/SURGICAL LASER UPDATE - American Society for ...

condition. Two classes of drugs commonly used to treat BPH are alpha-1 antagonists
(alpha blockers) and 5- alpha-reductase inhibitors. Sales of drugs to treat BPH in the
seven major markets were approximately $900 million in 1997 and will grow to more
than $1.3 billion by 2007.
"Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia" is a new study from Decision Resources, that provides
a comprehensive evaluation of this condition. The report, which is based on in-depth
interviews with opinion-leading physicians, contains detailed information on
epidemiology, medical practice, and current and emerging therapies -- including a
description of current and emerging laser techniques. The study also includes an in-depth
unmet needs analysis, an evaluation of economic issues, and sales forecasts for
pharmaceutical therapies to treat BPH in the seven major markets through 2007. The
report is part of Mosaic, a series of studies on timely topics, focusing on medical
indications that are distinguished by major unmet need or significant changes in medical
practice. The report is priced at $12,000. For more detailed report information, contact
Jean Carbone, director, Research Publications, at 781.487.3737.
1/11 ESC Medical Systems announced that fourth quarter operating results will be affected
by a slowdown in product sales in the U.S. aesthetic market, specifically in the area of
hair removal. Additionally, the company commented that international sales accelerated
on a sequential basis in the fourth quarter, primarily in Europe. As a result, the company
expects revenues for the fourth quarter to be approximately $50 million, down from the
$53.8 million reported for the third quarter (and for the $63.6 million for the previous
quarter). The company expects to be profitable on an operating basis for the fourth
quarter of 1998. The company attributes the revenue shortfall to a shift in purchasing
patterns of its physician customers and is currently evaluating various aspects of its
business to be able to better serve the marketplace. Despite the recent slowdown, ESC
continues to maintain its leading position in the U.S. aesthetic market.
Dr. Shimon Eckhouse, chairman, president and CEO, commented, "We plan to devote
the first half of 1999 to strengthen and optimize our sales and marketing organization and
to further adapt to the changes in the aesthetic markets. Additionally, we intend to
implement steps to improve efficiencies in other areas of the company's operations.
These efforts are expected to give ESC a stronger market position, tighter control over
expenses and, as a result, a higher level of profitability. Looking ahead, we expect to
realize the benefits of these initiatives in the second half of 1999." ESC Medical Systems
expects to announce its financial results for the 1998 fourth quarter and year on or about
January 26, 1999.
1/12 EDAP TMS S.A. announced that it had received an IDE from the FDA to begin U.S.
clinical trials of the company's proprietary, transrectal High Intensity Focused Ultrasound
("HIFU") technology, used in the minimally-invasive treatment of prostate cancer. The
technology is utilized through EDAP's Ablatherm, the medical device that will be
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