Hologic Targets Women's Health Professionals at ECR 2011

BEDFORD, Mass., Feb. 8, 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, will focus on new, ready to market technologies in women's imaging at the European Congress of Radiology (ECR), the annual meeting of the European Society of Radiology in Vienna, Austria, March 4-7.

Hologic will be one of the largest exhibitors at ECR 2011. Over 19,000 participants from more than 100 countries are expected to attend.

A major feature of the Hologic exhibit this year is 3D mammography (breast tomosynthesis) and the Hologic Selenia Dimensions 3D breast tomosynthesis option. Selenia Dimensions, the newest imaging platform in the world's most popular digital mammography line, directly addresses the primary limitations of 2D mammography – the superimposition of normal breast tissue.

Selenia Dimensions systems are installed in more than a dozen countries and cleared for sale in 40 countries. Selenia Dimensions delivers the exceptional 2D images the industry has come to expect from Hologic and, for the first time ever, gives radiologists the option of offering their patients a conventional 2D digital mammogram and a 3D tomosynthesis exam – all under one compression, in just seconds.  

Shown for the first time at ECR are two new commercial products designed specifically for Selenia Dimensions: the Affirm upright breast biopsy guidance system and ImageChecker 3D Calc computer-aided detection.

Interest in Selenia Dimensions is unusually high since Hologic received a U.S. Food and Drug Administration "Approvable Letter" for the new breast screening and diagnosis technology in late November. In the words of one FDA panelist, "tomosynthesis is the tool that I've been looking for the last 37 years."

Hologic is sponsoring an ECR Satellite Symposium on the use of 3D mammography in clinical practice on Saturday, March 5 from 14.00 to 15.30 in Auditorium C of the Austria Center Vienna. Luminaries will present the results of their clinical work in the 90-minute symposium. Reservations for the symposium may be made online at Hologic.com/ECR

Radiologists attending ECR are invited to gain firsthand experience reading 3D mammography cases in one of three Hologic sponsored 3D mammography workshops. Each three-hour workshop will cover the basic concepts and evolution of breast tomosynthesis and give participants hands-on experience in reading breast tomosynthesis cases. Online registration is available through the MyUserArea at the ESR website (myESR.org/MyUserArea).

With the recent acquisition of Sentinelle Medical, Hologic has a suite of breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tools in its best-in-class women's health portfolio on display at ECR. MRI is an important standard of care in breast screening for women indicated as having a high risk of developing breast cancer.

With SecurView diagnostic workstations and ImageChecker computer-aided detection, Hologic is ideally positioned to address some of the toughest challenges of the day – controlling costs, increasing productivity and improving quality. At ECR Hologic will demonstrate the Quantra volumetric assessment tool, a break-through technology that estimates volumes in the breast and calculates the volumetric fraction of fibroglandular tissue.

When a suspicious lesion is detected, ECR attendees are invited to discover the many ways Hologic can help deliver compassionate, clinically effective alternatives to open surgical breast biopsy. From the Hologic ATEC, Eviva and Celero breast biopsy devices to the new, ergonomically engineered, MultiCare Platinum breast biopsy table with the latest in patient comfort features, Hologic brings compassionate care to healthcare providers the world over.

Should cancer be detected in its early stages, many women are candidates for the Hologic MammoSite ML multi-lumen radiation therapy system, a unique and welcomed clinical option, and a patient-friendly alternative to traditional whole breast radiation.

Also on display at ECR is Hologic's Discovery QDR series bone densitometer. Hologic was the first manufacturer to receive FDA clearance to incorporate the World Health Organization FRAX fracture risk calculator in a bone density system. The FRAX calculator breaks new ground enabling healthcare providers to identify patients with a high risk of experiencing bone fractures within a period of 10 years.

Hologic is also highlighting Advanced Body Composition assessment software on the Discovery system. Advanced Body composition combines rapid acquisition of the total body with comprehensive reporting and the new National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) reference data.

Also on display is Hologic's Fluoroscan InSight system, the most sought after mini C-arm system on the market today. Designed specifically for orthopedic and other extremity surgeons, the Fluoroscan InSight system combines tremendous maneuverability, high definition, low-dose fluoroscopy images, and automated adjustments that deliver the optimum image every time, for every patient.

Sentinelle innovative breast MRI coils, Aegis breast advanced visualization and interventional computer software and ATEC minimally invasive breast biopsy devices will also be featured in the breast biopsy workshop at the European Society of Breast Imaging (EUSOBI) meeting immediately preceding the Congress.

Attendees at EUSOBI and ECR will see firsthand why radiologists, surgeons and radiation oncologists have come to rely on Hologic solutions and have made Hologic a worldwide leader in digital mammography, breast MRI, breast biopsy, accelerated partial breast irradiation and osteoporosis assessment.

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. For more information, visit www.hologic.com.

Hologic, Advanced Body Composition, Aegis, Affirm, ATEC, Celero, Dimensions, Discovery, Eviva, Fluoroscan, ImageChecker, MammoSite, QDR, Quantra, SecurView, Selenia, and Sentinelle and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Hologic, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. FRAX is a trademark of the World Health Organization.

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 its products and products under development. 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.