Singapore, Sep 8, 2010: BARRX Medical, US, a provider of endoscopic treatment solutions for treating precancerous lesions of the esophagus as well as other chronic gastrointestinal diseases, has signed an exclusive agreement with Japan's Medico's Hirata for distribution of the HALO Radiofrequency Ablation System in Japan.

Japan has one of the highest concentrations of esophageal squamous cell cancers in the world. Traditionally treated by invasive surgery, the HALO System is said to have shown encouraging results in recent clinical trials conducted by investigators from the US, Europe and China in eradicating early esophageal squamous neoplasia, a precursor to esophageal cancer.

"We are excited to partner with Medico's Hirata in one of our most important markets worldwide. With their strong experience in the gastrointestinal endoscopy field, and the positive feedback we have already received from many physicians in Japan, we look forward to a long mutually beneficial business relationship," said Mr Greg Barrett, President, CEO of BARRX Medical.

Squamous neoplasia is believed to lead to over 400,000 esophageal cancers per year for which death occurs in over 85 percent of the patients within the first five years.

“With our experienced direct sales organization, distribution network, marketing and regulatory teams, we are well-positioned to make HALO radiofrequency ablation the standard of care in Japan,” said Mr Masataka Hirata, President of Medico's Hirata. “We look forward to bringing Japanese physicians a new technology to eradicate early esophageal neoplasia before it reaches an advanced state of gastrointestinal cancer.”