Gamma Medica and Alpha Imaging Partner and Sign Distribution Agreement

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio and SALEM, N.H., Jan. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Alpha Imaging, one of the largest independent sales and service providers of advanced medical imaging equipment, today announced that it has executed a distribution agreement with Gamma Medica, Inc. The agreement covers distribution of Gamma Medica's LumaGEM Molecular Breast Imaging solution in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) is a new ground-breaking technology that greatly improves detection of early cancers in women with dense breast tissue and complex mammograms addressing the shortcomings of mammography and other screening modalities.

"Alpha Imaging's product reach in Women's Healthcare is further enhanced with Molecular Breast Imaging," said Michael Perrico, CEO of Alpha Imaging. "We look forward to the partnership as we continue to provide best-in-class products and services to our customers while expanding and growing our business."

Recently published studies have shown that the addition of MBI for women with dense breast tissue, results in a 4 times increase in invasive breast cancer detection rates as part of a secondary screening protocol, 50 percent reduction in biopsiesⁱ and a subsequent 15 percent lower cost per cancer detected than screening with mammography alone.ⁱⁱ

Dense breast tissue makes it more difficult to detect cancer, since both lesions and dense tissue appear white on a mammogram.ⁱⁱⁱ According to recent publications, MBI is a functional imaging modality that highlights metabolic activity in breast tumors not visible on mammography due to tissue density, thereby leading to earlier diagnosis, improved outcomes and lowered costs.^i,ii

 "Alpha Imaging has generated trusted partnerships with their customers, helping to strengthen their already great position within their women's healthcare market," said Philip M. Croxford, President and CEO, Gamma Medica, Inc. "We are excited to partner and provide the world's leading MBI solution with Alpha Imaging's extensive customer relationships expanding to over 1,100 healthcare facilities throughout the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic."

It is important for women to discuss with their doctors if MBI is an appropriate screening method for them. In addition to women with dense breast tissue or suspicious lesions, MBI may also be valuable for high-risk patients with a family history of breast cancer, patients who have tested positive for BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, symptomatic patients, patients with cosmetic augmentation or patients who cannot receive an MRI.^iv

About Alpha Imaging
Alpha Imaging LLC, is one of the largest independent sales and service providers of advanced medical imaging equipment in the United States. Celebrating 30 years in the imaging industry, Alpha Imaging partners with leading global manufacturers to deliver state-of-the-art products and services that meet the clinical, operational and economic needs of the U.S. healthcare market. One of Inc. Magazine's fastest growing companies, Alpha Imaging builds customer loyalty with a personal touch rarely seen in today's medical imaging marketplace. 

About Gamma Medica, Inc.
Gamma Medica, Inc. is a women's health company focused on overcoming the critical shortcomings of mammography and other screening modalities in the early detection of breast cancer. The company's LumaGEM® MBI system is the first commercially available, FDA-cleared, fully solid-state digital imaging system utilizing dual-head Digital Direct Conversion Gamma Imaging™ (DDCGI™) technology for molecular breast imaging. With over 90 percent sensitivity and specificity, LumaGEM MBI has been shown to significantly improve cancer detection in women with dense breast tissue with fewer false positives relative to anatomical imaging technologies, such as MRI and whole breast ultrasound. For more information visit www.gammamedica.com.

ⁱ Rhodes DJ, HruskaCB, ConnersAL, et al. JOURNAL CLUB: Molecular Breast Imaging at Reduced RadiaFon Dose for Supplemental Screening in Mammographically Dense Breasts. American Journal of Roentgenology. 2015;204(2):241-251.
ⁱⁱ HruskaCB, ConnersAL, Jones KN, et al. DiagnosFc Workup and Costs of a Single Supplemental Molecular Breast Imaging Screen of Mammographically Dense Breasts. American Journal of Roentgenology. 2015;204(6):1345-1353. doi:10.2214/AJR.14.13306.
ⁱⁱⁱ Mayo Clinic. Tests and Procedures Mammogram. http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mammogram/in-depth/dense-breast-tissue/art-20123968?pg=2
^iv Gamma Medica. Clinical Indications for MBI. Accessed 9/10/2015. http://www.gammamedica.com/molecular-breast-imaging/clinical-indications-for-an-mbi/

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SOURCE Gamma Medica, Inc.

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