Hologic Features New Minimally Invasive Technologies at the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Annual Meeting

BEDFORD, Mass., May 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hologic, Inc. (Hologic or the Company) (Nasdaq: HOLX), a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostics products, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women, is featuring new, minimally invasive technologies in surgical, diagnostic and skeletal health at the 59th Annual Clinical Meeting of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) in Washington, DC April 30-May 4, 2011.

Featured for the first time at ACOG is the Hologic MyoSure hysteroscopic system for the removal of submucosal fibroids or polyps often associated with abnormal uterine bleeding and infertility. Hologic is also showing its NovaSure endometrial ablation   procedure for the treatment of heavy periods, and its Adiana permanent contraception system, a minimally invasive alternative to tubal ligation surgery. Also featured for the first time since Hologic received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of the technology in March is the Advanced Body Composition assessment option on the Hologic Discovery bone density system. These new technologies fit perfectly with the educational theme of the ACOG meeting - the changing environment of improving the standard of care for women around the world.

For women aged 35 to 54, fibroids and heavy periods are among the most common reasons for a hysterectomy, and most women do not realize that minimally-invasive procedures exist to treat these conditions.  According to the National Women's Health Network, hysterectomy is the second most commonly performed surgical operation in the United States, with more than 600,000 operations performed each year. Leading experts, including Dr. Mehmet Oz of "The Dr. Oz Show," agree that hysterectomy is over-performed, and studies show that up to 90 percent of the procedures in the U.S. are not medically necessary.

"There are innovative, safe and effective alternatives to treat common gynecologic issues like abnormal uterine bleeding.  Before undergoing a hysterectomy, we believe that women should know all of their treatment options so they can make the most informed decisions possible," says Steve Williamson, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Hologic GYN Surgical Products.  

The recent FDA clearance of the Hologic Advanced Body Composition assessment package opens up a new market for the Discovery whole body dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) systems which, up to now, have primarily been used to measure osteoporosis in women after they reach menopause. Some of the diseases and conditions for which body composition values are useful include obesity, chronic renal failure, anorexia nervosa, AIDS/HIV and cystic fibrosis.

"Our new Advanced Body Composition assessment package is designed to provide a more detailed and more consistent baseline for measuring body mass changes than bio-impedance testing, hydrostatic weighing and skin fold thickness," said John Jenkins, Vice President and General Manager of the Hologic Skeletal Health business. "This new indication is a major step forward in helping maintain the quality of life of men and women and, we hope, will become the standard of care for adults and children."

Hologic GYN Surgical Products

The MyoSure system is one of three Hologic gynecological health products designed to support a woman's health past her child-bearing years. Hologic's NovaSure endometrial ablation is a one-time, five-minute procedure designed to lighten or end a woman's heavy period without hormones or a hysterectomy. Hologic's Adiana permanent contraception system is a safe and simple hysteroscopic procedure designed to provide a woman with permanent contraception. The Adiana procedure is minimally invasive, requires no incisions, and using local anesthesia, can be performed in the comfort of the doctor's office.

Hologic Skeletal Health Products

Hologic pioneered dual x-ray bone densitometry technology, which has become the industry standard for assessing bone health. Using the Hologic Discovery system, clinicians can identify fractures not discernible by normal examinations. An added benefit of these advances is the growing use of the same technologies to measure body composition and support the diagnosis of heart disease.

About Hologic, Inc.

Hologic, Inc. is a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostics products, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women. Hologic provides a comprehensive suite of technologies with products for mammography and breast biopsy, breast magnetic resonance imaging, radiation treatment for early-stage breast cancer, cervical cancer screening, treatment for menorrhagia and uterine fibroids, permanent contraception, osteoporosis assessment, preterm birth risk assessment, mini C-arm for extremity imaging, and molecular diagnostic products including human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and reagents for a variety of DNA and RNA analysis applications.

Hologic, Adiana, Advanced Body Composition, Discovery, MyoSure, NovaSure and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Hologic, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries.

Forward Looking Statement Disclaimer

This News Release contains forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties, including statements about Hologic's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the expected performance and benefits of the products mentioned herein. There can be no assurance that any of these products will achieve the benefits described herein and that such benefits will be replicated in any particular manner with respect to an individual patient as the actual effect of the use of these products can only be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the particular circumstances and patient in question. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Factors that could cause actual results to materially differ include, without limitation: risks inherent in the development of new products and the enhancement of existing products, including technical and regulatory risks, cost overruns and delays; the risk that newly introduced products may contain undetected errors or defects or otherwise not perform as anticipated; Hologic's ability to predict accurately the demand for its products and to develop strategies to address its markets successfully; technical innovations that could render products marketed or under development by Hologic obsolete; competition; and reimbursement policies for the use of Hologic's products. Other factors that could adversely affect Hologic's business and prospects are described in Hologic's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Hologic expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect any change in Hologic's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

SOURCE Hologic, Inc.