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Signs Contract for New Product Range
24-04 1320


Ellex Medical Lasers Ltd and Lumenis Inc of California USA (formerly
Coherent Medical Group) have today entered into an agreement for
Ellex to design, develop and exclusively manufacture a new range of
Ophthalmic Laser products, for both companies, for the treatment of
both secondary cataracts and glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a condition that causes pressure build-up in the eye
leading to blindness. This disease affects almost ten percent of the
elderly population of the developed world and is currently managed by
drug therapy that has patient side effects and therapy compliance
problems.

"We are delighted that our on-going collaboration with Lumenis has
given them the confidence to place design and production
responsibility with our Company for this exciting new market" said Mr
Peter Rowland, Managing Director of Ellex Medical.

"The move into glaucoma treatment is an extremely important one for
Ellex and we are pleased to be collaborating with Lumenis on this new
range of products".

Ellex Medical will develop the new range of laser systems in their
new manufacturing and development facility in Adelaide, South
Australia.

Ellex Medicals' core product range for the treatment of cataracts,
was extended last year into retinal therapy with the launch of its
Integre (TM) Photocoagulator laser. Now this new product range will
add the treatment of glaucoma to the Company's portfolio.

"This contract is an important strategic step for Ellex" Mr Rowland
said. "Our collaboration with Lumenis on this project allows us early
market entry with a new range of products for a new ophthalmic
procedure."

Open angle glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in people over
the age of 40 and affects more than 50 million people worldwide, with
more than 3 million cases in the United States alone. It is a
progressive degenerative disease in which the optic nerve is slowly
destroyed and, if left unchecked, can result in total blindness. The
current accepted treatment for glaucoma is to lower intraocular
pressure with prescription pharmaceuticals that represent a $4.25
billion annual market.

Mr Robert Grant, Executive Vice President of Lumenis said: "We are
very pleased to extend our excellent working relationship with Ellex
into the field of glaucoma management. We are confident that this
collaboration will add significant value for Lumenis customers and
shareholders."

For further information, please contact:
Peter Rowland,
MANAGING-DIRECTOR
08 8104 5200

ends - AAP