BARRX Medical Signs Distribution Agreement With Medico's Hirata for Exclusive Distribution of the HALO Radiofrequency Ablation System in Japan

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SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- BARRX Medical, Inc., a world leader in endoscopic treatment solutions for treating precancerous lesions of the esophagus as well as other chronic gastrointestinal diseases, announced today that the company has signed an exclusive agreement with Medico's Hirata for distribution of the HALO Radiofrequency Ablation System in Japan.

Japan has one of the highest concentrations of esophageal squamous cell cancers in the world.  Traditionally treated by invasive surgery, the HALO System has shown encouraging results in recent clinical trials conducted by investigators from the US, Europe, and China in eradicating early esophageal squamous neoplasia, a precursor to esophageal cancer.

"We are excited to partner with Medico's Hirata in one of our most important markets worldwide.  With their strong experience in the gastrointestinal endoscopy field, and the positive feedback we have already received from many physicians in Japan, we look forward to a long mutually beneficial business relationship," states Greg Barrett,  President and CEO of BARRX Medical. "In addition to the strong safety and efficacy profile HALO has demonstrated in eliminating Barrett's esophagus,  we anticipate similar success in eradicating early squamous neoplasia of the esophagus which is estimated to afflict over 4.1M people worldwide."  Squamous neoplasia is believed to lead to over 400,000 esophageal cancers per year for which death occurs in over 85% of the patients within the first five years.

"With our experienced direct sales organization, distribution network, marketing and regulatory teams, we are well-positioned to make HALO radiofrequency ablation the standard of care in Japan," said Masataka Hirata, President of Medico's Hirata.  "We look forward to bringing Japanese physicians a new technology to eradicate early esophageal neoplasia before it reaches an advanced state of gastrointestinal cancer."

About BARRX Medical, Inc.

BARRX Medical, Inc. develops endoscopic treatment solutions for Barrett's of the esophagus and other chronic gastroenterological diseases including early squamous neoplasia, a precursor to cancer.  The company's HALOFLEX, HALO360 and HALO90 ablation systems are designed to provide a uniform and controlled ablation effect, in order to remove diseased tissue and allow re-growth of normal cells.

The HALO systems are cleared by the FDA for use in the United States and each have CE Mark for use in Europe.  More than 60,000 procedures have been performed in over 400 hospitals around the world. Based in Sunnyvale, Calif., BARRX Medical, Inc. was founded in 2000 and is privately-held.  Additional information is available at www.barrx.com.

About Medico's Hirata

Founded in 1918 and headquartered in Osaka, Medico's Hirata Inc. has supplied numerous outstanding products and technologies to the field of medical care, and will continue to pursue our social mission of contributing to medical progress, based on our corporate philosophy "Learning and Dealing in Medical Care."  In Japan, Medico's Hirata was one of the first companies to focus on catheter interventions and prioritize the development of minimally invasive devices for use in a wide range of fields such as disposable endoscopic devices.  The company has continued to grow in step with the evolution of new medical technologies, and is looking forward to expanding its minimally invasive treatment business in the esophageal field.

SOURCE BARRX Medical, Inc.