PMTI Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. (MM)

Palomar Receives FDA Clearance for Acne Treatment BURLINGTON, Mass., April 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Palomar Medical Technologies Inc announced today that it has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market the LuxV(TM) handpiece for the treatment of acne. Prior to this clearance, Palomar marketed and sold the LuxV handpiece for the treatment of pigmented lesions. With this new clearance, Palomar can now market the LuxV handpiece for the treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris. The LuxV is a handpiece attachment for use with Palomar's family of Lux Pulsed Light systems, including the StarLux(TM), MediLux(TM), and EsteLux(R) system. The LuxV is Palomar's first handpiece to treat acne. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it is estimated that acne affects more than 80% of the world's population at some point in their lives. In the past, a combination of over the counter cleansers and prescribed topical medications including topical antibiotics, peroxide compounds and topical retinoids have been traditionally recommended to treat acne. Unfortunately, many topical and oral acne treatments provide inconsistent results and are known to cause side effects. Thesefactors, combined with an aversion to long-term dependence on antibiotics, have made light-based acne treatments increasingly appealing to the general public. Christine C. Dierickx, M.D., a world renowned dermatologist and Director of the Boom Laser Clinic in Belgium commented, "The advantage of Palomar's approach to the treatment of acne is that it doesn't involve medication and can be performed in the office without relying on the patient's compliance at home. Use of the LuxV handpiece offers acnesufferers a non-drug, easy and effective alternative without the side effects commonly found with drugs. Patients have been extremely happy with the results and enjoy benefits of long lasting clear skin after just a few treatments." Joseph P. Caruso, Chief Executive Officer of Palomar added, "We are extremely pleased to receive the additional FDA clearance for the treatment of acne with the LuxV handpiece. This clearance, combined with the recent addition of the StarLux system, could dramatically increase consumer interest in Palomar's light-based cosmetic technology, and propel us to an even greater market share in this growing worldwide market." The LuxV handpiece offers a long-term acne solution by treating the root cause of acne which is the sebaceous glands. The LuxV emits pulses of intense light that alter the structure and function of the sebaceous glands to reduce acne lesions without the many side effects common to drugs while offering longer remission times and improved efficacy rateswhen compared to other treatments. Acne treatment is the most rapidly growing therapeutic category in the dermatology sector and in the U.S. alone; more than $1.4 billion annually is spent on anti-acne medication and treatment. About Palomar Medical Technologies Inc: Palomar is a leading researcher and developer of light-based systems for hair removal and other cosmetic treatments. Last year, Palomar and the Gillette Company (NYSE:G) entered into an agreement to complete development and commercialize a patented home-use, light-based hair removal device for women. New and exciting indications are being tested to further advance the hair removal market and other cosmetic applications. Palomar pioneered the optical hair removal field, when, in 1997, it introduced the first high-powered laser hair removal system. Since then, many of the major advances in light-based hair removal have been based on Palomar technology. There are now millions of light-based cosmetic procedures performed around the world every year in physician offices, clinics, spas and salons. For more information on Palomar and its products, visit Palomar's website at http://www.palomarmedical.com/. To continue receiving the most up-to-date information and latest news on Palomar as it happens, sign up to receive automatic e-mail alerts by going to the E-mail Alerts page in the Investor Relations' section of the website. With the exception of the historical information contained in this release, the matters described herein contain forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements relating to new markets, development and introduction of new products, and financial projections that involve risk and uncertainties that may individually or mutually impact the matters herein, and cause actual results, events and performance to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. These risk factors include, but are not limited to, results of future operations, technological difficulties in developing or introducing new products, the results of future research, lack of product demand and market acceptance for current and future products, the effect of economic conditions, challenges in managing joint ventures and research with third parties, the impact of competitive products and pricing, governmental regulations with respect to medical devices, including whether FDA clearance will be obtained for future products, the results of litigation, difficulties in collecting royalties, potential infringement of third-party intellectual property rights, and/or other factors, which are detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward- looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that maybe made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Contacts: Investor Relations Palomar Medical Technologies Inc 781-993-2411 DATASOURCE: Palomar Medical Technologies Inc CONTACT: Investor Relations - Palomar Medical Technologies Inc, +1-781-993-2411, Web site: http://www.palomarmedical.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/107555.html

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