EDAP to Distribute LABORIE’s Medical Measurement Systems Urodynamic Products in Japan

EDAP TMS SA, a global developer of therapeutic ultrasound, has signed an exclusive agreement with the Canadian company LABORIE to distribute its urodynamic diagnostic products in Japan, one of the largest global markets for urology.
 
Jean-François Bachelard, General Manager of EDAP TMS’s subsidiary in Japan commented, “This agreement consolidates EDAP’s position as leader of the Urodynamic market in Japan. LABORIE’s products will complement our lithotripsy range of products being distributed by EDAP in Japan as it will provide our sales force with an expanded urology focused product portfolio. We will continue to capitalize on our well established direct network to leverage its expertise and expand our market presence across the country.”
 
“We are excited to expand our collaboration with EDAP’s team,” added Wilfried Woesthuis, director of international sales for LABORIE. “EDAP is very experienced in the Urodynamic field, the team is  skilled and motivated to support LABORIE’s existing large customer base in Japan. In addition, EDAP will introduce new LABORIE products such as T-DOC air charged catheter technology to the market. We are looking forward to our continued fruitful cooperation.”
 
“We are very pleased with this exclusive partnership with LABORIE which continuously introduces devices and tools to markets. With LABORIE leading its specific field of urology diagnosis and EDAP focusing on therapeutic urology solutions, this agreement consolidates EDAP’s position as a leader company in the urodynamic market in the Japanese territory,” said Marc Oczachowski, EDAP TMS CEO.
 
EDAP TMS SA markets today Ablatherm for high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for prostate tissue ablation in the United States and for treatment of localized prostate cancer in the rest of the world. HIFU treatment is shown to be a minimally invasive and effective option for prostatic tissue ablation 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 for patients who failed radiotherapy treatment. Ablatherm-HIFU is approved for commercial distribution in Europe and some other countries including Mexico and Canada, and has received 510(k) clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The company also markets a robot-assisted HIFU device, the Focal One, dedicated to focal therapy of prostate cancer. Focal One is CE marked but is not FDA approved. The company also develops its HIFU technology for the potential treatment of certain other types of tumors. EDAP TMS SA also produces and distributes medical equipment (the Sonolith lithotripters’ range) for the treatment of urinary tract stones using extra-corporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) in most countries including Canada and the United States.
 
LABORIE was founded in 1967 by a pioneer in urodynamics, Ray Laborie. Since then, LABORIE has expanded into new categories and has established itself as a leader in urology, urogynecology, colorectal and gastroenterology.