Health Research International Forecasts Minimally Invasive Technologies Will Drive 15 Percent Annual Increase in Devices Targeting Benign Uterine Conditions.

CLEVELAND -- Benign uterine conditions--predominantly fibroids, polyps, endometriosis, adenomyosis and menorrhagia--affect upwards of 25% of women of childbearing age in the United States. Although most are asymptomatic, 2.6 million women seek medical treatment for these conditions annually. Therapy has traditionally relied on two extremes: medical management, comprising oral contraceptives, progestins and GnRH agonists; and surgical management, comprising hysterectomy, myomectomy and ablation, reserved for the most severe cases. The advent of minimally invasive treatments, such as global endometrial ablation and uterine artery embolization, are creating a "middle" option for symptomatic patients, just as refinements in these technologies are reducing barriers to use. As a result, they are projected to drive a 15 percent annual increase in sales of diagnostic and therapeutic devices in this market--a 9 percent overall rate when drugs are added to the picture--through 2008.

These are among the key findings of a comprehensive new report published by Health Research International titled "U.S. Opportunities in the Management of Benign Uterine Conditions." Distributed exclusively by Medtech Insight, the 305-page report contains nearly 100 exhibits describing the critical clinical and technological developments driving U.S. demand for products used in the management of benign uterine conditions. The report provides technology and market analyses for the following current and emerging products: OB/GYN diagnostic ultrasound systems, hysteroscopes, fluid management systems, laparoscopes, trocars, disposable uterine manipulators, global endometrial ablation systems, embolic agents, oral contraceptives, progestins, GnRH agonists, blood coagulation therapy products, selective progestin receptor moderators and GnRH antagonists. Patient, procedure and/or market forecasts are provided for each product segment, as are supplier shares. Detailed profiles of major suppliers conclude this meticulous market study.

Companies whose products and strategies are covered include: ACMI, American Medical Systems, AstraZeneca, C.R. Bard, BioSphere Medical, Boston Scientific, CooperSurgical, Cytyc, GE Healthcare, Johnson & Johnson, Microsulis, Olympus, Pfizer/Pharmacia, Siemens Medical Systems, Karl Storz, TAP Pharmaceuticals, and Richard Wolf, among others. A full table of contents and ordering information can be viewed at http://www.medtechinsight.com/ReportHRI083.html.

Founded in 1978, Health Research International (www.healthri.com) provides the pharmaceutical and medical device industries with reliable, comprehensive and meticulously researched market analysis that incorporates strategic vision and a thorough understanding of competing medical technologies. Quality, experience and follow-through have been the cornerstones of our custom consulting services and market reports.

Recently acquired by Windhover Information Inc. (www.windhover.com), publisher of IN VIVO: The Business & Medicine Report, and Start-UP: Windhover's Review of Emerging Technologies, Medtech Insight is a leading provider of business information for the medical technology marketplace. The company publishes the monthly "medtech insight" newsletter and a wide selection of detailed Market & Technology Reports, holds several medtech partnering and investment conferences annually, offers the new "EU I.Q." European Surgical Procedure Volumes database, and Custom Consulting Services.