February 13 2007
XCounter AB (publ) (AIM: XCT), a technology leader in the development and commercialisation of 3D medical imaging, has announced a commercial partnership with the global leader in brachytherapy, Nucletron B.V. In this first step of the cooperation between Nucletron and XCounter, the latter will evaluate the properties of a novel imaging system for brachytherapy treatments. This evaluation is a pre-study prior to moving to a full agreement on the development of a dedicated imaging system for brachytherapy, especially designed for Nucletron. The incidence of most cancer types is growing. Approximately 50% of all men and 30% of all women in the USA will develop some kind of cancer at some point in their lives (NIH, 2002). This means that the need for effective methods for cancer treatment, such as brachytherapy, is growing rapidly. “High image quality and low dose imaging are vital components in precision cancer treatment. We find XCounter´s imaging principles very attractive and are looking forward to the results of this pre-study,” says Dick van Waes, Business Director Brachytherapy and Imaging of Nucletron. “It is with great pleasure that we can announce XCounter´s commercial partnership with Nucletron. Nucletron has chosen to cooperate with XCounter as a result of our unique imaging concepts, as well as our ability to handle development on behalf our customers. In line with our business concept, which is to invent and develop innovative patient and disease specific imaging systems and concepts for leading medical companies, the agreement is a further recognition of the capabilities of our company as we continue partnering discussions for the XC Mammo -3T,” says Tom Francke, CEO at XCounter. We are looking forward to a fruitful cooperation with Nucletron.” Brachytherapy is a high precision, minimally invasive radiation therapy, favourably used for cancer treatment in parts of the body which have sensitive adjacent organs. Examples of such treatment areas are gynaecological body sites, breast, bladder, brain, head and neck, lung, esophagus and prostate. For further information, please contact: XCounter AB (publ) Dr Tom Francke, Chief Executive Officer Tel: +46 8 622 23 00 Nucletron B.V Dick van Waes, Business Director Brachytherapy & Imaging Tel: +31 318 557 362 Buchanan Communications Diane Stewart/ Mark Court/Rebecca Skye Dietrich Tel: +44 20 7466 5000
About XCounter XCounter is an innovation and development house for the leading X-ray companies. XCounter offers ready-to-market imaging systems based on unique 3D technologies. The company was founded in 1997 by researchers with NASA and CERN experience in space research. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market. XCounter is based in Stockholm, Sweden. XCounter’s unique and proprietary technology for 3-dimensional X-ray imaging, XCT -3T, has a number of advantages over competing technologies. XCT -3T enables fast acquisition of high resolution 3D images, at low levels of radiation dose. This means more predictable diagnosis as well lower risks for the patients when compared to existing imaging techniques. XCounter currently has four product platforms in development based on XCT -3T, XCounter’s unique technology. The first is XC Mammo -3T, the only system originally designed for 3D breast cancer screening. Secondly the XC MP -3T for general body imaging, which is introducing low dose 3D imaging in to general X-ray imaging and preventive cancer screening. XCounter also develops two platforms for preventive cardiac imaging. XC Cardio -3T for functional imaging of the heart which will have the capability of imaging the perfusion of blood through the heart muscle, leakage through the valves and blood flow through coronary arteries in different phases of the heart cycle. These capabilities will give information enabling the doctor to take medical measures before any serious complications occur. The heart is a very dynamic organ, and many of the heart diseases are best visualised dynamically and our product platform XC Cardio -4T introduces a totally new dimension by imaging 3D movies of the beating heart. We believe XC Cardio -4T is a solution to a medical need, which none of the leading X-ray companies to date has been able to satisfactorily address. The XCT -3T based product platforms described above target the major part of the US$7 billion digital X-ray system market, and have the potential to expand the market through the introduction of novel low-dose screening applications. More information and our press releases can be accessed at http://www.xcounter.se/ About Nucletron B.V. Nucletron is a knowledge-based leader in Radiation Oncology, working with the clinical team to realize innovative solutions that improve patient care. Nucletron strives to offer the best possible choice of treatment modality for the patient through our integrated products, software and services. Nucletron develops cancer treatment with optimal outcomes and minimal side-effects and we promote clinical acceptance of our solutions. For more information on Nucletron, please visit the website at http://www.nucletron.com/. Nucletron B.V. is a subsidiary of Delft Instruments. Delft Instruments is the holding company of an international group of companies that hold a leading position in their respective markets with high quality, high-technology products and services. The Delft Instruments’ companies develop, produce, sell and service advanced (precision) hardware and software for medical and industrial customers. Medical applications include radiation treatment for cancer and ultrasound diagnostics. Industrial applications include measurement and control instrumentation for the storage and transport of oil and gas products. Delft Instruments employs some 1,100 people and reported turnover of EUR 243 million in 2005. For more information on Delft Instruments, please visit the website at http://www.delftinstruments.com/.