TORONTO and ERLANGEN, GERMANY, 29 February 2016 – Profound Medical Corp. (TSX-V:PRN), a Toronto-based medical device company and Siemens Healthcare today announced that they have signed a strategic collaboration agreement aimed at establishing a new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) -guided therapy in the clinical routine for prostate cancer patients. The agreement will also advance the commercial launch of Profound’s novel technology, its TULSA-PROTM system.

Combining the clinical efficacy of ultrasound thermal therapy with the unparalleled imaging capability of MRI for real-time temperature/procedure monitoring, MRI-guided tissue ablation has untapped potential in clinical management of prostate cancer patients. Profound’s TULSA-PRO system combines real-time, Siemens leading MR imaging with transurethral therapeutic ultrasound and closed-loop thermal feedback control, providing a highly precise treatment, tailored to patient-specific anatomy and pathology.

Under the terms of the strategic agreement, Siemens unparalleled MRI technology and innovative portfolio for real-time thermometry will be utilized with the TULSA-PRO system to monitor the thermal ablation of tissue directly with the MR scanner. The clear advantage over other treatments is that the coverage of the target volume is controlled in real time while ablating intended tissue and sparing tissue outside the prostate. This technique has the potential to reduce side effects and improve the patient’s quality of life.

“Siemens has embraced our technology and we will work together to leverage the strength of their global reputation and success to bring this new technology to market. With their support, TULSA-PRO will soon be available to clinicians and patients as a new alternative for patients with localized prostate cancer,” says Steve Plymale, CEO, Profound Medical Corp. “We are grateful to have such a notable strategic partner.”

Christoph Zindel, MD, General Manager of Siemens Healthcare Magnetic Resonance Business further highlights the importance of the agreement, “This strategic partnership further underlines Siemens Healthcare’s strategy of enabling better patient outcomes by broadening its diagnostic imaging portfolio into advanced therapies. Partnering with Profound, with its leading technology, we will jointly drive healthcare further together with our customers worldwide.”

The two companies will each invest approximately $2,000,000 USD on marketing and sales resources in support of a successful product launch pending appropriate regulatory approvals/clearance in Europe and Canada in 2016, and in the US in 2017. Profound Medical and Siemens Healthcare are long-time partners, collaborating since 2011 on the development of minimally-invasive solutions for prostate cancer care.

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