Profound Medical Corp. (NASDAQ:PROF; TSX:PRN) (“Profound” or the
“Company”), a commercial-stage medical device company that develops
and markets customizable, AI-powered, incision-free therapies for
the ablation of diseased tissue, is pleased to announce that the
first commercial benign prostatic hyperplasia (“BPH”) treatment
utilizing the TULSA-PRO® system’s new TULSA-AI® Volume Reduction
Module was successfully conducted yesterday by Naveen Kella, M.D.,
Founder of The Urology Place and an Adjunct Assistant Professor for
the UT Health Science Center San Antonio.
BPH is a non-cancerous enlargement of the
prostate gland due to an overgrowth of prostate cells. It is a
common condition as men age, often impeding the flow of urine and
creating significant lower urinary tract symptoms (“LUTS”). Current
BPH treatment with transurethral resection of the prostate (“TURP”)
is largely unchanged over the past 100 years. Many alternative
treatment methods have been investigated aiming to improve the
patient experience and reduce the rates of complications such as
bleeding, erectile dysfunction, loss of ejaculation, and the need
to stay in the hospital overnight for one, two or more days.
The TULSA procedure, performed using the
TULSA-PRO® system, has the potential to become a mainstream
treatment modality across the entire prostate disease spectrum;
ranging from low-, intermediate-, or high-risk prostate cancer; to
hybrid patients suffering from both prostate cancer and BPH; to men
with BPH only; and also, to patients requiring salvage therapy for
radio-recurrent localized prostate cancer. TULSA employs real-time
MR guidance and AI-enhanced planning for precision to preserve
patients’ urinary continence and sexual function, while killing the
targeted prostate tissue via precise sound absorption technology
that gently heats it to 55-57°C. TULSA is an incision- and
radiation-free “one-and-done” procedure performed in a single
session that takes a few hours. Virtually all prostate shapes and
sizes can be safely, effectively, and efficiently treated with
TULSA. There is no bleeding associated with the procedure; no
hospital stay is required; and most TULSA patients report quick
recovery to their normal routine.
Prior to the new TULSA-AI® Volume Reduction
module, the TULSA-PRO® system was already being used by surgeons
world-wide to relieve LUTS in patients with BPH. A few days ago,
investigators from the University of Turku and Turku University
Hospital in Finland, published a prospective Phase II study
demonstrating safe and effective treatment of BPH with TULSA, with
clinically marked improvements in urinary function and quality of
life while preserving continence and sexual functions. The
International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) decreased from 17 to 4
(P < 0.001), and IPSS quality of life score improved from 4 to 1
(P < 0.001). The maximum urine flow rate increased from 11.1 to
18.3 mL/s (P < 0.001), and the average flow rate from 4.2 to 9.1
mL/s (P < 0.001). The 26-item Expanded Prostate Cancer Index
Composite urinary irritative/obstructive scores improved from 66 to
94 (P < 0.001), and urinary incontinence scores improved from 86
to 100 (P = 0.008). Sexual function remained stable or improved. Of
patients using BPH medications prior to TULSA, 96% discontinued it
after the procedure. Meanwhile, 100% of patients who were on
anti-coagulants did not discontinue their medication before
TULSA.
As the name implies, the new TULSA-AI® Volume
Reduction module streamlines TULSA procedures intended to decrease
the volume of obstructive prostate tissue in men with LUTS due to
BPH. This new software module builds upon the previously cleared
TULSA-AI Contouring Assistant to quickly and easily provide
personalized treatment plans that avoid peripheral zone ablation,
the area physicians want to avoid when treating BPH, as well as the
ejaculatory ducts that run inside the prostate. By leveraging
state-of-the-art real-time MR imaging data, the software provides
the surgeon with choices for ablation volume and duration based on
the patients’ unique anatomy, reducing planning complexity and
improving consistency across cases. The primary benefit is enhanced
procedural efficiency, decreasing total skin-to-skin time to an
expected 60-90 minutes and allowing for faster, more personalized
care.
Dr. Kella commented, “BPH treatments have
advanced at a tremendous pace. Patients and surgeons continue to
look for effective treatments that offer minimal complications. We
want no bleeding and no hospital stay, but we don't want to
compromise results. TULSA-AI® Volume Reduction for BPH could be a
game-changer in that regard, and it can be completed in 60 to 90
minutes.”
“As demonstrated in the recently published study
from the University of Turku, TULSA offers significant improvements
in international prostate symptom score, peak urine flow rates, and
discontinuation of BPH medications," said Arun Menawat, Profound’s
CEO and Chairman. “That said, while urologists have been treating
LUTS using TULSA-PRO® since we received 510(k) clearance in 2019,
and the technology is the only one capable of treating hybrid
patients suffering from both prostate cancer and BPH, BPH-only
patient volumes have been low due to the relatively longer
treatment duration compared to other modalities. TULSA-AI® Volume
Reduction is designed to maintain all of the many proven advantages
of treating BPH with TULSA while leveling the playing field on the
time it takes for a urologist to plan and complete of the
procedure. Accordingly, we believe that TULSA-AI® will expand our
total, truly tangible available market opportunity from 200,000 to
600,000 prostate disease patients per year.”
About Profound Medical
Corp.
Profound is a commercial-stage medical device
company that develops and markets customizable, incision-free
therapies for the ablation of diseased tissue.
Profound is commercializing TULSA-PRO®, a
technology that combines real-time MRI, AI-enhanced planning,
robotically-driven transurethral ultrasound and closed-loop
temperature feedback control. The TULSA procedure, performed using
the TULSA-PRO® system, has the potential of becoming a mainstream
treatment modality across the entire prostate disease spectrum;
ranging from low-, intermediate-, or high-risk prostate cancer; to
hybrid patients suffering from both prostate cancer and benign
prostatic hyperplasia (“BPH”); to men with BPH only; and also, to
patients requiring salvage therapy for radio-recurrent localized
prostate cancer. TULSA employs real-time MR guidance for precision
to preserve patients’ urinary continence and sexual function, while
killing the targeted prostate tissue via precise sound absorption
technology that gently heats it to 55-57°C. TULSA is an incision-
and radiation-free “one-and-done” procedure performed in a single
session that takes a few hours. Virtually all prostate shapes and
sizes can be safely, effectively, and efficiently treated with
TULSA. There is no bleeding associated with the procedure; no
hospital stay is required; and most TULSA patients report quick
recovery to their normal routine. TULSA-PRO® is CE marked, Health
Canada approved, and 510(k) cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (“FDA”).
Profound is also commercializing Sonalleve®, an
innovative therapeutic platform that is CE marked for the treatment
of uterine fibroids and palliative pain treatment of bone
metastases. Sonalleve® has also been approved by the China National
Medical Products Administration for the non-invasive treatment of
uterine fibroids and has FDA approval under a Humanitarian Device
Exemption for the treatment of osteoid osteoma. Profound is in the
early stages of exploring additional potential treatment markets
for Sonalleve® where the technology has been shown to have clinical
application, such as non-invasive ablation of abdominal cancers and
hyperthermia for cancer therapy.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release includes forward-looking statements
regarding Profound and its business which may include, but is not
limited to, any express or implied statements or guidance regarding
current or future financial performance; the expectations regarding
the efficacy of Profound’s technology in the treatment of prostate
cancer, BPH, uterine fibroids, palliative pain treatment and
osteoid osteoma; and the success of Profound’s U.S.
commercialization strategy and activities for TULSA-PRO®. Often,
but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the
use of words such as "plans", "is expected", "expects",
"scheduled", "intends", "contemplates", "anticipates", "believes",
"proposes" or variations (including negative variations) of such
words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results
"may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be
achieved. Such statements are based on the current expectations of
the management of Profound. The forward-looking events and
circumstances discussed in this release, may not occur by certain
specified dates or at all and could differ materially as a result
of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting
Profound, including risks regarding the medical device industry,
regulatory approvals, reimbursement, economic factors, the equity
markets generally and risks associated with growth and competition,
statements and projections regarding financial guidance and goals
and the attainment of such goals may differ from actual results
based on market factors and Profound’s ability to execute its
operational and budget plans; and actual financial results may not
be consistent with expectations, including that revenue, operating
expenses and cash usage may not be within management's expected
ranges. Although Profound has attempted to identify important
factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to
differ materially from those described in forward-looking
statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events
or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.
No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Other factors and
risks that may cause actual results to differ materially from those
set out in the forward-looking statements are described in
Profound's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings made with
U.S. and Canadian securities regulators, available at
www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov. Except as required by applicable
securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the
date on which they are made and Profound undertakes no obligation
to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether
as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, other
than as required by law.
For further information, please
contact:
Stephen KilmerInvestor
Relationsskilmer@profoundmedical.com T: 647.872.4849
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