Optivus Technology is a Leading Candidate for M.D. Anderson's $100 Million Proton Beam Cancer Treatment Project.

Business Editors and Health/Medical Writers

LOMA LINDA, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Sept. 20, 2001

Proton Beam Therapy System Developer is Ready to Roll Out Its

Clinically Proven High-Volume Cancer Treatment Centers

Optivus Technology Inc., the leading designer, developer, and marketer of proton beam treatment facilities, today announced that it was recently informed, by decision-makers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, that they are one of the two top finalists being considered to provide the Proton Beam Therapy System technology for their recently announced $100 million, state-of-the-art proton treatment facility.

A final decision is expected to occur over the next few months. Institutions such as New York-Presbyterian Health System, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Florida and the University of Indiana are among dozens of hospitals, across the United States, interested in building Proton Beam Therapy facilities.

Optivus recently announced its own Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510K clearance of its proprietary Conforma 3000(TM) Proton Beam Therapy System. A state-of-the-art system based on Optivus' first proton project at Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC). LLUMC is currently the only operational hospital-based proton treatment facility in the world, treating more than 6,000 cancer patients since 1990.

The LLUMC/Optivus-type project is the only actual working proof that a high-volume proton facility can also be clinically viable, economically sound, environmentally sound, highly reliable and safe.

The University of Texas Board of Regents recently approved a joint venture agreement between M.D. Anderson, financial services firm Sanders, Morris, Harris Group, and health-care specialists The Styles Co., to build the 78,000 square foot center. The three organizations will form a limited partnership to fund, own and operate the Houston-based project.

"This is an important milestone in two key ways for us," said Jon W. Slater, president of Optivus Technology.

"First, it is a strong endorsement of the overall health-care benefits of Proton Therapy by one of the premier cancer institutions in the world. And secondly, it indicates that all of the hard work and intellect that we have put into the development and refinement of the Loma Linda proton facility model is evident to this same premier institution."

There are only two FDA cleared sources for the kind of proton beam treatment the Anderson Center plans to use -- Optivus and a system developed by a Belgium-based company, IBA, for Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital.

"I like our chances, as we have the only proven high-volume system in the world," said Dennis Valencia, vice president of sales & business development, Optivus Technology. "We retain the exclusive rights to the most comprehensive intellectual property portfolio in the industry, which may prove to be a significant factor in Anderson's decision.

"Another important consideration will be our demonstrated successful track record of successfully delivering to a demanding schedule. Along these lines, we have maintained and updated virtually all documentation, tooling and have retained the important key individuals and strategic partners from the original LLUMC project."

More About Protons

Proton Beam therapy, for the treatment of cancer, provides a distinct physical advantage over conventional x-ray beams. Unlike traditional radiation treatment, protons can be delivered specific to their target, normal tissue is spared, side effects are reduced and the tumor receives higher radiation.

Protons deliver homogeneous radiation to three-dimensional volumes such as those seen in various cancers, brain tumors and macular degeneration. The growing list of accepted treatments represent a potential cure for more than 1 million patients each year. Proton Therapy is not considered investigational and is routinely covered by Medicare and other third party insurance.

A recent news release reported protons achieve the same or better results in treating prostate cancer when compared with surgery or conventional radiation. Data presented on 643 prostate cancer patients showed an overall disease-free survival rate of 89 percent five years following the treatment. These data were published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology.

Treatment results of an ongoing macular degeneration trial showed that 89 percent of patients with wet type age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) demonstrated control of the disease 18 months after being treated with protons.

Protons have also been proven significant in the treatment of lung cancer, providing a viable option to patients ineligible for surgery. In the Fall 1999 issue of Chest and presented at the International Proton Therapy Co-Operative Group (PTCOG), proton therapy achieved 87 percent local tumor control, significantly higher than the average 50 percent control rate achieved using traditional radiation.

For additional information on proton beam treatment, contact Optivus Technology at 888/PROTONS (776-8667) or 909/799-8328. To access information online, go to www.optivus.com.