GYG Gyg Plc

RNS Number:3785K
Gyrus Group PLC
11 May 2000


GYRUS GROUP PLC ("Gyrus" or the "Company")

GYRUS ANNOUNCES FDA 510(k) APPROVAL OF NEW UROLOGY PRODUCT AND EVEREST
INTEGRATION STRATEGY

*  Gyrus, the "PlasmaKinetic" systems company, announces FDA 510(k) approval
of its new Plasma-Sect Loop for treatment of bladder cancer and the prostate
gland.

*  The introduction of Plasma-Sect significantly increases both the utility
and competitiveness of the Gyrus Endourology System.  Surgeons can now select
a range of different treatment options depending on the patient's individual
needs.

*  Following attendance and final discussions at the American Urological
Association (AUA) meeting in Atlanta last week, Gyrus is announcing its new US
distribution strategy for their Endourology System through the Everest sales
force today .

*  Leading urologists are embracing the development of new laparoscopic
techniques.  The integration of Gyrus' and Everest's products and technologies
will position the Company at the forefront of this emerging market
opportunity.

*  The first phase of technology integration will enhance the performance of
Everest's products in procedures and markets they currently serve, whilst
these new opportunities are developed in conjunction with leading surgeons. 
The Company anticipates completing this first phase during Q4, 2000.

Mark Goble, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"After reviewing our options to address the US urology market, the response we
received at the AUA meeting left the decision in no doubt.  There is a clear
opportunity for us to be at the forefront of developing and refining a range
of new endoscopic techniques using both urethral and laparoscopic access to
the urinary tract. The strategy to address this opportunity dovetails with the
plans we have now put in place to enhance the performance of Everest
instruments using our PlasmaKinetic I technology."


GYRUS ANNOUNCES FDA 510(k) APPROVAL OF NEW UROLOGY PRODUCT AND EVEREST
INTEGRATION STRATEGY


Gyrus, the "PlasmaKinetic" systems company, announces FDA 510(k) approval of
its new Plasma-Sect Loop for treatment of bladder cancer and resection of the
prostate gland today.

The introduction of the Plasma-Sect product significantly increases both the
utility and competitiveness of the Gyrus Endourology System, allowing surgeons
to select a range of different treatment options depending on the individual
needs of their patients.  

Surgeons can now vaporise (Plasma-V), resect  (Plasma-Sect), incise
(Plasma-Cise) and dissect (Plasma-Cut) tissues according to the pathology they
encounter.  

Resection, as opposed to vaporisation, of primary bladder cancer allows the
abnormal tissue to be recovered and examined under the microscope.  The
advantages of the Plasma-sect Loop when performing resection include its
ability to simultaneously stop bleeding and reduce risk of thermal damage to
the wall of the bladder which may lead to perforation.  Additionally, where
there is a suspicion of cancer, it is also now possible to resect the prostate
gland rather than vaporise the tissue.

This range of performance can on the one hand provide laser-like effects and
on the other replace the present "gold standard" monopolar resection with an
intrinsically safer system operating in physiological saline solution. 
Delivery of these innovative performance advantages have enabled urological
surgeons to evaluate new approaches to the removal of the enlarged prostate
based on techniques hitherto only possible using laser systems.

At the European Association of Urology meeting in Brussels last month, Gyrus
beamed a live surgery demonstration, performed by Mr D. Barnes, Consultant
Urologist, North Manchester General Hospital, using the Plasma-V vaporising
electrode, direct to the auditorium from an operating theatre in Nijmegen,
Holland.  A paper was presented by Professor Botto of the hospital Foch,
Paris, supporting a reduction in postoperative symptoms, less bleeding and a
reduction in hospital stay using the PlasmaKinetic technique*.

These presentations created a lot of interest providing the clinical
endorsements on which Gyrus will continue to build its European sales.  To
further support this effort, a user-group meeting, including more than eighty
European Urologists, will be held in Prague in July.

Following the response to the introduction of the Gyrus Endourology System on
the Everest booth at the American Urological Association (AUA) meeting in
Atlanta last week, the company has now finalised its US distribution strategy.

The AUA meeting also confirmed that leading surgeons are embracing the
development of new laparoscopic techniques to treat diseases of the urinary
tract.  Many of these are technically quite challenging, including
laparoscopic radicle prostatectomy (removal of prostate cancer), laparoscopic
removal of the bladder (for cancer) and laparoscopic nephrectomy (partial or
complete removal of the kidney).  

Surgeons pioneering these techniques have already identified the benefits of
bipolar technologies and Gyrus is now taking the opportunity to work closely
with these leading urological surgeons to develop and refine these techniques
still further using both Gyrus' and Everest's technologies.  This move
effectively positions Gyus at the forefront of an innovative emerging
sub-speciality of urological laparoscopy. 

Prior to the AUA meeting, Gyrus and Everest held their first strategic
planning meeting.  One of the key outputs from the meeting was the plan to
integrate the performance advantages of the PlasmaKinetic I platform with
Everest's instruments.  A number of procedures in general and gynaecological
laparoscopy where this performance enhancement would be particularly
beneficial were identified.  The target markets for this integrated platform
will also now include the urological laparoscopy opportunity.

Gyrus expects to complete the first phase of technology integration during Q4
this year.  The company will simultaneously establish key user sites in the US
during this timeframe in preparation for launch through the Everest sales
force in 2001.  

*       A copy of Professor Botto's paper is available on request from Jean
Garon PR - telephone (01628) 483040, fax (01628) 486796 or e-mail:
jean@garonpr.demon.co.uk


ENQUIRIES

Gyrus Group PLC                                   
Dr Mark Goble, Chief Executive, or               
John Bradshaw, Finance Director                     
Analyst/Broker/Shareholder Enquiries
Tel: (02920) 776300
Fax: (02920) 776301
E-Mail: john.bradshaw@gyrus.co.uk

Jean Garon PR                                   
Jean Garon                                          
Press Enquiries                                   
Tel: (01628) 483040
Fax: (01628) 486796
E-Mail: jean@garonpr.demon.co.uk


ANALYST UPDATE BRIEFING TODAY - Thursday 11th May at 10.30am

At 10.30am this morning, Thursday 11th May, at WestLB Panmure, 35 New Broad
Street, London, Gyrus are holding an update briefing for Analysts.

Presentations by Brian Steer (Chairman), Dr Mark Goble (Chief Executive) and
John Bradshaw (Finance Director) will cover the recent acquisition in the USA,
distribution strategies, technology integration and an update on new products.
 

Please call Jean Garon PR on (01628) 483040 if you would like to attend.


END
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