PLC Plc Systems,

PLC Systems Provides Update for Optiwave 980 Business Line FRANKLIN, Mass., May 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PLC Systems Inc. (AMEX:PLC), a worldwide leader in cardiac laser technologies, today provided an update for the Optiwave 980 Cardiac Laser Ablation System business line. In the first quarter of 2004, PLC and Edwards Lifesciences entered into an exclusive, multi-year agreement to develop and manufacture the Optiwave 980 System. Throughout 2004 PLC and Edwards worked together to enhance the technology, which included the development of less invasive approaches to this therapy. In the first quarter of 2005, Edwards and PLC further enhanced the epicardial Optiwave 980 System and returned to marketing trials. Clinical experience with the new version will help shape future launch plans. To facilitate the marketing trials, Edwards built an inventory of Optiwave 980 disposable handpieces. "To date, PLC's revenues recognized from the Optiwave 980 System consists of lasers sold to Edwards for use in their marketing evaluations," stated Mark R. Tauscher, president and CEO of PLC Systems. "PLC does not expect significant revenues from Optiwave 980 System sales until Edwards commercially launches the system into the market and we successfully increase our disposable manufacturing capacity to meet Edwards' sales demand. We believe it will take us approximately six months to increase our disposable manufacturing capability from the time that Edwards decides to commercially launch the Optiwave 980." About PLC Systems Inc. PLC Systems is a medical technology company specializing in innovative technologies for the cardiac and vascular markets. Currently, the company is focused on two unique cardiac laser therapies. Headquartered in Franklin, Mass., PLC pioneered the CO2 Heart Laser System that cardiac surgeons use to perform CO2 transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) to alleviate symptoms of severe angina. In addition, PLC is working with Edwards Lifesciences to complete the development of and manufacture the Optiwave 980 cardiac laser ablation system. Additional company information can be found at http://www.plcmed.com/. This press release contains "forward-looking" statements. For this purpose, any statements contained in this press release that relate to prospective events or developments are deemed to be forward-looking statements. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Our statements of our objectives are also forward looking statements. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our estimates change, and you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Actual results could differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of important factors, including we may be unable to successfully develop or manufacture products under our agreements with Edwards; Edwards may decide not to pursue or continue the sales and marketing activities for these products; Edwards may be unsuccessful in distributing these products, operational changes, competitive developments may affect the market for our products, regulatory approval requirements may affect the market for our products, we may be unable to convince health care professionals and third party payers of the medical and economic benefits of the CO2 Heart Lasers and the Optiwave 980 System, and there can be no assurance that all payers will reimburse health care providers who perform TMR procedures or that reimbursement, if provided, will be adequate, and additional risk factors described in our Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and our other SEC reports. PLC Systems, PLC Medical Systems, PLC and CO2 Heart Laser are trademarks of PLC Systems Inc. Edwards Lifesciences, Edwards, and Optiwave 980 are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation. Contact: John Jordan Director of Investor Relations 508-541-8800, ext. 145 DATASOURCE: PLC Systems Inc. CONTACT: John Jordan, Director of Investor Relations of PLC Systems Inc., +1-508-541-8800, ext. 145 Web site: http://www.plcmed.com/

Copyright