New Clinical Data Shows Significant Improvement In The Appearance Of Fat Using SlimLipo(TM) Laser

Main Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Also Included In: Medical Devices / Diagnostics;  Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 22 May 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: PMTI), a leading researcher and developer of light-based systems for cosmetic treatments, announced the success of a clinical study showing the benefits of the SlimLipo body sculpting laser for laser-assisted lipolysis. Cleared by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in April of 2008, the SlimLipo laser is now available with 40 watts of power for faster, more effective treatments.

SlimLipo is equipped with the dual laser wavelengths of 924 nm and 975 nm for preferential absorption by fat and dermal tissue, respectively, resulting in efficient fat 'melting' with less contour deformities and faster patient recovery, as seen by a recent study published in US Dermatology, by Dr. Robert Weiss, Director of the Maryland Laser, Skin, and Vein Institute. Dr. Weiss' study found that all of the subjects agreed that the SlimLipo treatment significantly improved the appearance of fat.

"This study proved what I'd been experiencing in my own practice; patients are extremely satisfied with the results, not to mention the improvement in recovery time," said Dr. Weiss. "The study found a decrease in bruising, tenderness and swelling -- all the patients returned to work the next day," he continued.

SlimLipo allows physicians to remove excess fat and tighten the skin through laser-assisted lipolysis in one step. In fact, the study by Dr. Weiss found that patients felt a difference in the smoothness (83 percent) and tightness of their skin (67 percent) right after the SlimLipo treatment, with 100 percent of patients seeing an improvement in skin's smoothness and tightness in three months after the laser treatment.

Brooke Seckel MD, plastic surgeon at Boston Plastic Surgery Associates, Concord MA, agreed, "SlimLipo is a tremendous advancement in liposuction. The most important benefit for me is the absence of contour deformities; the skin remains smooth with no ripples or dents even in very thin patients. Couple that with the added benefit of skin tightening and SlimLipo has certainly transformed my practice."

SlimLipo requires far less physical strain for physicians than traditional liposuction. In addition, the interchangeable treatment tip design gives physicians more control, facilitating treatment of hard-to-reach areas such as the neck or pectorals.

"There is an emerging demand for this kind of treatment option among consumers -- people want stellar results, but do not want to have to take time out of their lives to achieve those results," noted Richard Bankowski, Field Clinical Director for Palomar. "SlimLipo is the best fat reduction method on the market because its technology effectively 'melts' fat for easy aspiration, even in challenging areas of the body, and helps tighten skin."

Marketing Push

Palomar will be rolling out a multi-faceted consumer-facing marketing initiative in the coming months that brands the SlimLipo procedure as LifeSculpt. The campaign will emphasize the superior results offered by the LifeSculpt procedure and will highlight how the treatment can fit into even the most active of lifestyles. In addition, a robust consumer-facing Web site, which will include "before" and "after" photos, and find-a-physician functionality, will launch at the end of May.

About Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc: Palomar is a leading researcher and developer of light-based systems for cosmetic treatments. Palomar pioneered the optical hair removal field, when, in 1997, it introduced the first high-powered laser hair removal system. Since then, many of the major advances in light-based hair removal have been based on Palomar technology. In December 2006, Palomar became the first company to receive a 510(k) over-the-counter (OTC) clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a new, patented, home use, light-based hair removal device. OTC clearance allows the product to be marketed and sold directly to consumers without a prescription. There are now millions of light-based cosmetic procedures performed around the world every year in physician offices, clinics, spas and salons. Palomar is testing many new and exciting applications to further advance the hair removal market and other cosmetic applications. Palomar is focused on developing proprietary light-based technology for introduction to the mass markets. Palomar has granted The Procter & Gamble Company a non-exclusive License Agreement to certain patents, technology and FDA documents related to the home-use, light-based hair removal field for women. In addition, Palomar has an exclusive development and license agreement with Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies to develop and potentially commercialize home-use, light-based devices for reducing or reshaping body fat including cellulite, reducing the appearance of skin aging, and reducing or preventing acne.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations, plans, intentions, beliefs or predictions. These forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve risk and uncertainties that may individually or mutually impact the matters herein, and cause actual results, events and performance to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. These risk factors include, but are not limited to, results of future operations, technological difficulties in developing or introducing new products, the results of future research, lack of product demand and market acceptance for current and future products, the effect of economic conditions, challenges in managing joint ventures and research with third parties and government contracts, the impact of competitive products and pricing, governmental regulations with respect to medical devices, including whether FDA clearance will be obtained for future products and additional applications, the results of litigation, including patent infringement lawsuits, difficulties in collecting royalties, potential infringement of third-party intellectual property rights, factors affecting the Company's future income and resulting ability to utilize its NOLs, and/or other factors, which are detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Source: Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc

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