ELEKTA RECEIVES ORDER FOR LEKSELL GAMMA KNIFE(R) IN CANADA

ELEKTA RECEIVES ORDER FOR LEKSELL GAMMA KNIFE(R) IN CANADA Elekta announced today the first acquisition of Leksell Gamma Knife® in Canada. The purchase decision of Leksell Gamma Knife® by Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) is important for the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg and the entire country of Canada. Delivery is planned for fiscal year 2003/04. "The Premiers and Ministers of Health from Western Canada as well as the Chief Executive Officers from various regional health authorities are clearly excited about Winnipeg's acquisition of Leksell Gamma Knife®, and are quite interested in doing what they can to support us," says Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at WRHA, Brock Wright. In a country with a population of over 33 million people, the future of Health Science Centre's acquisition of Leksell Gamma Knife® looks bright. "I've seen first-hand the types of patients that can be treated. And I must say that I've been remarkably impressed just over the last 5-6 years by the increasing use of Gamma Knife® Surgery for a broader set of indications and the cost-effectiveness of it. Typically with traditional open surgery, patients can spend 8-12 hours in OR, 2-3 days in ICU, and a week at least in the Neurosurgery ward - but with Gamma Knife® Surgery they are in and out in the same day. We are cutting down our length of stay and cost of treatment. So in our system, similar to the English National Health System - if we can save money in that area, then we can use those hospital beds and operating times to treat other neurosurgical patients that normally are on long waiting lists. I think that's the key." states Dr. Michael West, Head of Neurosurgery at the Health Sciences Centre and University of Manitoba. Contrary to past perceptions that only large markets can support a Leksell Gamma Knife® system, Health Sciences Center in Winnipeg, Manitoba has found it to be cost-effective and is looking to establish this site as a center of excellence around Neurosurgery and Neurosciences in the province. "Winnipeg is certainly not the biggest city in the country, but I think it has demonstrated that the Regional Health Authority is really committed to the Neurosciences, which is a result of some real teamwork and having a strong financial plan supporting the decision. I looked at all the supporting material for Leksell Gamma Knife®, had the opportunity to use it, and overall think it is really an impressive tool. Gamma Knife® Surgery has a very well proven track record and anyone I've spoken to has been pretty impressed by Elekta's support," says Dr. West. Elekta's Leksell Gamma Knife® system remains the Gold Standard in care and has proven to be a safe, reliable and cost-efficient tool in non-invasive neurosurgical procedures. Backed by over three decades of clinical experience and documented results, Leksell Gamma Knife® is a dedicated and complete solution for radiosurgery from a single provider. Currently, there are 157 installed Leksell Gamma Knife® units worldwide with 66 in the United States. "Elekta is excited to have the first Gamma Knife® system installed in Canada and we look forward to developing and supporting the relationship we have with Winnipeg's Regional Health Authority, the Health Sciences Centre, and future Canadian partnerships, " states Ray Rau, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Elekta Neurosurgery. ***** Elekta is a world-leading supplier of advanced and innovative radiation oncology and neurosurgery solutions and services for precise treatment of cancer and brain disorders. Elekta's solutions are clinically effective, cost efficient and gentle to the patient. For further information, please contact: Lars Jonsteg, VP Corporate Relations, Elekta AB (publ), tel. +46 8 587 254 82 Tomas Puusepp, President and CEO, Elekta North and South America, tel. +1 770 300 9725 More information about Elekta can be found at: www.elekta.com ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/03/08/20040826BIT21220/wkr0001.pdf