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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:            

CHINESE ACADEMIC COMMITTEE OF MEDICINE LEADER TRAVELS TO BALTIMORE TO UNDERGO STRETTA ANTI-REFLUX PROCEDURE IN THE UNITED STATES

On October 9, 2006 Dr. Mark Noar at The Heartburn and Reflux Center in Towson, MD will perform the Stretta Procedure on a well-known Chinese dignitary and respected member of the Chinese Academic Committee of Sciences, Professor ZHONG‑GAO WANG. Dr. Wang is the Director of the GERD Center of the 2^nd Military University Hospital in Beijing, CHINA, the first of its kind in China. 

According to Professor Wang, (pronounced “Wong”) approximately 7% of the adults from the population of 1.3 billion in China suffer from daily GERD symptoms.  Professor Wang states, “In China the incidence of GERD is on the rise. The toll that chronic reflux takes on patients is of major concern because it can lead to more devastating diseases and upper respiratory breathing disorders such as asthma. In fact in China, Prof. Wang has seen especially large numbers of patients with life threatening lung disease caused by GERD.  This is the primary reason why he established the GERD Center.  Since its inception in April 2006, the GERD Center has performed the Stretta procedure on close to 50 patients and, according to Professor Wang, “… early on, the results are most encouraging, with almost immediate resolution of asthma and reflux symptoms.”

 “GERD respects no national boundaries or medical discipline,” says Dr. Noar who founded and directs the Chinese-American Institute for the Study of GERD and Reflux.  As the results of his efforts, Dr. Noar was appointed as the exclusive international consultant to the GERD Center and Chinese Academic Committee. According to Dr. Noar, The Institute was created to advance the exchange of science and techniques between the US and China, and facilitate the training and integration of professional organizations, and practitioners including Surgeons, Gastroenterologists, Anesthesiologists, Pulmonologists, Allergists, ENT specialists, and other care givers into the field. Currently, the Chinese-American Institute, sponsors research in the field and facilitates training for physicians, nurses, and anesthesia personnel both in China, as well as in exchange with the Research Center in Towson, MD.

The Heartburn and Reflux Research Center, in Towson, MD has performed over 500 Stretta procedures to-date adding to more than the 10,000 procedures that have been performed world-wide. According to Dr. Noar, “… results are highly impressive. Four years after a 14-minute Stretta treatment, most patients are still either completely off or on significantly reduced medication.”

Professor Wang, is the Director of Vascular Institute of Capital University of Medical Sciences (Life long professor) and President of Chinese Society of Vascular Surgeons. Professor Wang is also the Director of Center for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorders at the Second Military Hospital in Beijing.   Suffering from severe asthma most of his life, Professor Wang did not know that it was caused by his GERD condition. Professor Wang tried and failed countless combinations of drug therapy, and following a near fatal episode, had a surgical fundoplication procedure in March 2006. Unfortunately, only 5 months after the surgery his illness returned.  After observing the vast improvement that his similarly afflicted Chinese patients have achieved after a Stretta Procedure, he returns full circle to his teacher, Dr. Noar, in order to realize the same benefit for his own condition.  

About The Stretta System

Curon's proprietary Stretta System provides physicians with the tools to perform a minimally invasive, outpatient endoscopic procedure for the treatment of GERD. The Stretta System consists of a disposable Stretta Catheter, and the Curon Control Module. Using the Stretta System, the physician delivers temperature-controlled radiofrequency energy to the muscle of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).  A short time after the procedure, the tissue response to radiofrequency delivery is that it enhances LES function, without leaving foreign material behind. This results in statistically significant improvements in patient Quality of Life scores, GERD symptom scores, reduction in acid exposure and reduction in anti-secretory medication requirement.

 

About The Secca System

The Secca System provides physicians with devices to perform a minimally invasive outpatient procedure for the treatment of bowel incontinence in patients who have failed more conservative therapy such as diet modification and biofeedback. The Secca System utilizes the same technology and treatment concepts as the Stretta System. Using the Curon Control Module and the Company's Secca disposable handpiece, physicians deliver radiofrequency energy into the muscle of the anal sphincter to improve its barrier function. 

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, specifically, statements concerning anticipated future performance, expansion of our international operations, obtaining Japan regulatory approval and our expectation that our production needs will be met in the future are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current, preliminary, expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from the statements contained herein. The Company's financial results, as discussed in this release, are preliminary and unaudited, and subject to adjustment. Further information on potential risk factors that could affect the Company, its business and its financial results are detailed in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, those risks and uncertainties listed in the section entitled, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Factors Affecting Future Results," in Curon's quarterly report of Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2006. The forward-looking statements are made as of August 10, 2006, and the Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.