Radiologists Presented With Important New Data On Coronary Artery Scanning Utilizing Imatron's EBT Technology.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 6, 2000

RSNA 2000 Scientific Program Features Multiple

Clinical Applications of Fast Scanning

Imatron Inc. (Nasdaq:IMAT) today announced the presentation in Chicago at the recent annual Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) meeting of new data confirming the clinical interest and commercial potential of CT and EBT imaging of the coronary arteries, an important clinical application which was pioneered using Imatron's Electron Beam Tomography (EBT) scanner, and where Imatron maintains a strong leadership position.

In a widely attended opening day session devoted to the imaging and measurement of coronary artery calcification, new and intriguing results on progression of atherosclerosis were presented by Dr. A. Emerick and colleagues from the UCLA Medical Center. In an analysis of more than 230 subjects receiving at least two EBT coronary artery scans, they found that only the baseline score and the presence of hypertension predicted the degree of atherosclerosis progression as measured by EBT. Of critical importance was the observation that zero scores tended to remain zero over time, suggesting the value of EBT in confirming a very low risk of coronary artery disease, both at the time of the initial coronary artery scan and in the future. Other papers in this session used EBT as a "gold standard" reference in attempts to define possible scanning protocols in small studies using the latest spiral CT scanners from a variety of manufacturers. Although there is no agreement among vendors and users as to any standards with respect to these mechanical CT scanners, there is clearly a significant clinical interest in this application pioneered, documented, and standardized by multiple EBT users and supported by a massive data base of clinical experience. Notably, several investigators, specifically Dr. Knollman and colleagues from Berlin, reported a significant x-ray dose increase over that from EBT if the mechanical CT scanners were used to image the coronary arteries.

Another primary topic of intense interest at the RSNA meeting was the early detection of lung cancers using fast, low dose CT and EBT imaging. The design of very large randomized population studies to demonstrate long term cost effectiveness in improving clinical outcomes was vigorously debated, along with the necessary compromises between high detection sensitivity and minimizing x-ray dose. While there is little debate about the ability of the fastest scanners to detect early lung cancers, it is a significant challenge to convincingly demonstrate a broad scale, cost effective treatment benefit consistent with the return on investment standards of the American healthcare system as opposed to the personal interest of "at risk" Americans.

According to S. Lewis Meyer, CEO of Imatron, "It is abundantly clear that the years of EBT studies devoted to coronary artery imaging have finally achieved significant clinical acceptance and market momentum reflected in the attempts at imitation of EBT scanning protocols by manufacturers of slower, less sensitive and accurate mechanical CT scanners. However, the clinical realization of the importance of these cardiac imaging applications has not yet resulted in standardized, easily conducted imaging techniques with these inherently slower, and higher dose, mechanical CT scanners. As the science of sub-clinical cardiac disease detection matures, Imatron is now clearly presented with new and exciting opportunities in the fields of early detection of lung and colon cancers. Imatron's unquestioned lead in documented, peer-reviewed studies demonstrating the power and superiority of EBT in coronary artery imaging is now delivering record EBT scanner sales, revenues and profits to Imatron."

Imatron Inc. is primarily engaged in designing, manufacturing, marketing, and supporting high performance electron beam tomography (EBT) scanners based on the Company's proprietary EBT technology. Imatron's EBT scanner is now in use at more than 150 major medical facilities and imaging centers around the world, including the Mayo Clinic, Hackensack University Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Abbott-Northwestern Hospital, Mount Sinai Medical Center, University of Iowa, National Institutes of Health, UCLA Medical Center, St. Francis Hospital, Stanford University, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Edward Cardiovascular Institute, Michigan Heart Imaging, Ohio Heart, University of Illinois, Arizona Heart Institute, Alfried Krupp Krankenhaus, Essen, Landeskrankenhaus in Graz, Austria, Cardiology Research Centre in Moscow, Russia, FAU Erlangen-Nurnberg in Erlangen, Germany, Beijing Hospital in China, HeartScan Imaging, Heart Savers of Irvine, LLC, Cooper Clinic, HealthScan of La Jolla, LifeScore of San Diego and HealthScan of Plano (Dallas).

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations and estimates about the industry in which Imatron operates, the estimated impact of certain technological advances, the estimated impact of published research studies on scanner sales and procedures, as well as management's beliefs and assumptions. It is important to note that the Company's actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others; failed clinical demonstration of certain asserted technological advantages and diagnostic capabilities; reliance on product distributors; competition in the diagnostic imaging market; failure to improve product reliability or introduce new product models and enhancements; delays in production and difficulty in obtaining components and sub-assemblies from limited sources of supply; inability to meet cash-on-delivery or prepayment terms from vendors; determinations by regulatory and administrative government authorities; patent expiration and denial of patent applications; the high cost of the scanner as compared to commercially available CT scanners; and the risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission reports, including their reports of Form 10-K for their current fiscal year.