Profound Medical Announces CMS Extension of Temporary ‘Code’ for TULSA to ASC Setting

TORONTO, Nov. 03, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (NASDAQ:PROF; TSX:PRN) (“Profound” or the “Company”), a commercial-stage medical device company that develops and markets customizable, incision-free therapies for the ablation of diseased tissue, announced today that, pursuant to the published yesterday by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”), use of HCPCS C code, C9734, previously established for the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS), has been extended for use in the Ambulatory Surgical Center (“ASC”) setting, and that MRI-Monitored Transurethral Ultrasound Ablation (“TULSA”) of prostate tissue, performed using Profound’s TULSA-PRO^® system, has been assigned device-intensive status. The ASC extension will go into effect on January 1, 2024.

C9734 was one of 11 HCPCS C codes that were added to the ASC Covered Procedure List, out of the 235 procedure recommendations CMS received. CMS determined that these 11 codes correspond to procedures that are frequently performed in outpatient settings and increasingly show lower risks of serious complications and inpatient admissions.

“In June 2003, we announced that, with sponsorship and support from multiple physician specialty societies, the American Medical Association had established three new Current Procedural Terminology Category 1 codes for TULSA to treat prostate diseases,” said Arun Menawat, CEO and Chairman of Profound. “Those permanent CPT^® Category 1 codes will go into effect on January 1, 2025. In the meantime, we are pleased that both U.S. hospitals and ASCs performing the TULSA procedure on Medicare patients will now be able to utilize the temporary C code, C9734.”

About Profound Medical Corp.

Profound is a commercial-stage medical device company that develops and markets customizable, incision-free therapies for the ablation of diseased tissue.

Profound is commercializing TULSA-PRO^®, a technology that combines real-time MRI, robotically-driven transurethral ultrasound and closed-loop temperature feedback control. TULSA-PRO^® is designed to provide customizable and predictable radiation-free ablation of a surgeon-defined prostate volume while actively protecting the urethra and rectum to help preserve the patient’s natural functional abilities. TULSA-PRO^® has the potential to be a flexible technology in customizable prostate ablation, including intermediate stage cancer, localized radio-recurrent cancer, retention and hematuria palliation in locally advanced prostate cancer, and the transition zone in large volume benign prostatic hyperplasia (“BPH”). TULSA-PRO^® is CE marked, Health Canada approved, and 510(k) cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”).

Profound is also commercializing Sonalleve^®, an innovative therapeutic platform that is CE marked for the treatment of uterine fibroids and palliative pain treatment of bone metastases. Sonalleve^® has also been approved by the China National Medical Products Administration for the non-invasive treatment of uterine fibroids and has FDA approval under a Humanitarian Device Exemption for the treatment of osteoid osteoma. The Company is in the early stages of exploring additional potential treatment markets for Sonalleve^® where the technology has been shown to have clinical application, such as non-invasive ablation of abdominal cancers and hyperthermia for cancer therapy.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Profound and its business which may include, but is not limited to, the expectations regarding the efficacy of Profound’s technology in the treatment of prostate cancer, BPH, uterine fibroids, palliative pain treatment and osteoid osteoma. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "is expected", "expects", "scheduled", "intends", "contemplates", "anticipates", "believes", "proposes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such statements are based on the current expectations of the management of Profound. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release, may not occur by certain specified dates or at all and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the Company, including risks regarding the medical device industry, regulatory approvals, reimbursement, economic factors, the equity markets generally and risks associated with growth and competition. Although Profound has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. In addition, there is uncertainty about the spread of the COVID-19 virus and the impact it will have on Profound’s operations, the demand for its products, global supply chains and economic activity in general. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Profound undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, other than as required by law.

For further information, please contact:

Stephen Kilmer

Investor Relations



T: 647.872.4849