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AURORA IMAGING TECHNOLOGY establishes major Asia presence

Dedicated Breast MRI Manufacturer to Meet the Significant Demand For Improved Breast Cancer Detection in Asian Women

North Andover, Mass. and TAIPAI, Taiwan ( June 18, 2007) – In direct response to the growing need for advanced breast imaging among Asian women, Aurora Imaging Technology, Inc., today announced the establishment of Aurora Asia, a wholly-owned subsidiary.  The company is the manufacturer of the Aurora® 1.5Tesla Dedicated Breast MRI System, the most technological advanced and only FDA approved system specifically designed to fight breast cancer, an increasingly common international women’s health issue.
In recent years, the world has seen a dramatic growth of breast cancer.  In Asia, it is now the leading cause of cancer death in women .  The latest data from the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (CACA), the Chinese equivalent of the American Cancer Society, shows that both incidence and death rates of breast cancer in China's major cities rose by nearly 40 percent over the last decade.  This significant increase is due to at least three factors.

(1) Peak breast cancer incidences among Asian women occur between the ages of 40 and 50, nearly ten years younger th an in Western countries. 
(2) The majority of Asian women have dense breasts, one of the risk factors for developing breast cancer.
(3) Dense breasts are particularly difficult to image with mammography.

 
“Asian women are in dire need of access to the most effective breast imaging technology, such as MRI.  By making available our Aurora Dedicated Breast MRI System, we increase the potential to detect cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage.  Clinical trials have shown that earlier detection saves lives,” said Olivia Ho Cheng, president and CEO, Aurora.  “Just as our company is dedicated to the advancement of MRI technology for breast imaging applications, we are also devoted to ensuring that Asian women have access to the best possible breast imaging system. We’re establishing Aurora Asia to make this mission a reality.”

In fact, Aurora’s Asian presence began in 2006 with the receipt from the State Food and Drug Administration of the People's Republic of China of a Registration Certificate for its Aurora® 1.5T Dedicated Breast MRI System.  This open ed the door for Aurora to move into one of the world's fastest growing economies with a medical device market estimated at close to $3.5 billion.  Furthermore, one third of medical devices currently imported to China come from the United States.

Aurora Asia’s President is Dr. Pai-Jung (PJ) Huang.  After completing his formal medical education at Taipei Medical University, Dr. Huang also received surgical training from Columbia University Medical Center, as well as a fellowship in MRI informatics at Harvard Medical School.  With this training under his belt, Dr. Huang brings to Aurora not only a profound clinical understanding, but also a deep appreciation of the importance and technical challenges to visually present this disease using the MRI imaging technology.  Prior to being named president, Dr. Huang was Aurora’s International Clinical Director.

“The Asian economy has enjoyed rapid growth in recent decades.  Unfortunately, breast cancer also has become a more pervasive problem.  The silver lining is the rising and intense public education that has lead to a greater awareness among Asian women about the nature of this disease and the importance of early detection,” commented Dr. Huang.  “With this as background, I think it is timely for Aurora to aggressively expand our business throughout Asia, thus allowing us to respond more effectively to the growing demand . 
I am confident and excited that Aurora Asia can and will contribute to the overall mission of the company, which is a reduction of the breast cancer mortality rate .”

About Aurora Imaging Technology, Inc.
Aurora Imaging Technology, Inc. is a private company based in North Andover, Massachusetts committed to expanding the fight against breast cancer.  Aurora strives to manufacture the highest quality and most cost-effective breast MRI solutions and partners with a growing number of the nation's finest breast care centers to provide the ultimate in the detection, diagnosis, biopsy and treatment of breast cancer.  The Aurora System is in clinical use at a growing number of leading breast care centers in the US, Europe and Asia.  For a location nearest you, visit www.auroramri.com.

Media Contact:
Debbie Thomas, VP Marketing
978-975-7530 ext. 4334
dthomas@auroramri.com

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