MEDIA RELEASE PR41098
BARRX Medical Signs Distribution Agreement With Medico's Hirata for Exclusive Distribution of the HALO
Radiofrequency Ablation System in Japan
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sept. 6 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
BARRX Medical, Inc., a world leader in endoscopic treatment solutions for treating precancerous lesions of the
esophagus as well as other chronic gastrointestinal diseases, announced today that the company has signed an
exclusive agreement with Medico's Hirata for distribution of the HALO Radiofrequency Ablation System in Japan.
Japan has one of the highest concentrations of esophageal squamous cell cancers in the world. Traditionally
treated by invasive surgery, the HALO System has shown encouraging results in recent clinical trials conducted by
investigators from the US, Europe, and China in eradicating early esophageal squamous neoplasia, a precursor to
esophageal cancer.
"We are excited to partner with Medico's Hirata in one of our most important markets worldwide. With their strong
experience in the gastrointestinal endoscopy field, and the positive feedback we have already received from many
physicians in Japan, we look forward to a long mutually beneficial business relationship," states Greg Barrett,
President and CEO of BARRX Medical. "In addition to the strong safety and efficacy profile HALO has
demonstrated in eliminating Barrett's esophagus, we anticipate similar success in eradicating early squamous
neoplasia of the esophagus which is estimated to afflict over 4.1M people worldwide." Squamous neoplasia is
believed to lead to over 400,000 esophageal cancers per year for which death occurs in over 85% of the patients
within the first five years.
"With our experienced direct sales organization, distribution network, marketing and regulatory teams, we are
well-positioned to make HALO radiofrequency ablation the standard of care in Japan," said Masataka Hirata,
President of Medico's Hirata. "We look forward to bringing Japanese physicians a new technology to eradicate
early esophageal neoplasia before it reaches an advanced state of gastrointestinal cancer."
About BARRX Medical, Inc.
BARRX Medical, Inc. develops endoscopic treatment solutions for Barrett's of the esophagus and other chronic
gastroenterological diseases including early squamous neoplasia, a precursor to cancer. The company's
HALOFLEX, HALO360 and HALO90 ablation systems are designed to provide a uniform and controlled ablation
effect, in order to remove diseased tissue and allow re-growth of normal cells.
The HALO systems are cleared by the FDA for use in the United States and each have CE Mark for use in
Europe. More than 60,000 procedures have been performed in over 400 hospitals around the world. Based in
Sunnyvale, Calif., BARRX Medical, Inc. was founded in 2000 and is privately-held. Additional information is
About Medico's Hirata
Founded in 1918 and headquartered in Osaka, Medico's Hirata Inc. has supplied numerous outstanding
products and technologies to the field of medical care, and will continue to pursue our social mission of contributing
to medical progress, based on our corporate philosophy "Learning and Dealing in Medical Care." In Japan,
Medico's Hirata was one of the first companies to focus on catheter interventions and prioritize the development of
minimally invasive devices for use in a wide range of fields such as disposable endoscopic devices. The company
has continued to grow in step with the evolution of new medical technologies, and is looking forward to expanding
its minimally invasive treatment business in the esophageal field.
SOURCE: BARRX Medical, Inc.
CONTACT: USA
media
Kevin Knight
+1-972-385-9384
mobile
+1-214-732-9392
kknightpr@gmail.com
for BARRX Medical, Inc.
or Gregory A. Barrett of BARRX Medical, Inc.
+1-408-328-7308
gbarrett@barrx.com
or Japan
Akira Matsumoto of Medico's Hirata Inc.
06-6443-9502
foreign-info@medicos-hirata.co.jp
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