ELEKTA RECEIVES REGULATORY APPROVAL IN JAPAN FOR LATEST MODEL OF LEKSELL GAMMA KNIFE®

ELEKTA RECEIVES REGULATORY APPROVAL IN JAPAN FOR LATEST MODEL OF LEKSELL GAMMA KNIFE®Japanese customers will now be able to upgrade to the latest version of Leksell Gamma Knife® allowing for faster and easier treatmentEarlier in March, Elekta was notified that the Japanese Ministry for Health, Labor and Welfare has granted approval for Leksell Gamma Knife® C 1.2, the latest version of the gold standard equipment for non-invasive intra-cranial radiosurgery. Elekta's customers in Japan will thereby be able to upgrade to the most advanced modality for treatment of brain tumors, vascular malformations and functional diseases.Leksell Gamma Knife® entailed a revolution in intracranial surgery when the method was introduced over 30 years ago. Today the method is still unique, often indispensable and have won broad clinical acceptance around the world.The advantages to noninvasive treatment include a reduced risk of complications compared to open surgery. It is a gentler form of treatment for the patient and does not result in a need for expensive post-operative care. The extreme precision of Leksell Gamma Knife® makes it possible to administer higher radiation doses to the diseased area without the risk of damaging healthy tissue. With conventional surgery it is often impossible to treat deeply located tumors and tumors located close to sensitive parts of the brain, such as the brainstem or the optic or auditory nerves. For many patients, radiosurgery is the only treatment alternative. Version 1.2 of Leksell Gamma Knife® C with more than 50 improvements allows for faster and easier treatment with an improved robotic Automated Positioning System® as well as improved safety features, patient comfort and a more intuitive user interface. As a result of the long standing tradition of excellence in brain research together with an open attitude to non-conventional treatment methods, Japan is today the country with the highest number of Leksell Gamma Knife® units per capita.Currently there are over 40 Leksell Gamma Knife® units installed in Japan and since the installment of the first unit at University of Tokyo in 1990, over 65,000 Japanese patients have been treated for tumors and other brain disorders. With a strong impact in the neurosurgery community in Japan, Leksell Gamma Knife® has enhanced the quality of life for the patients treated as well as saved considerable amounts for the Japanese health care system by not requiring hospitalization after treatment. To date, Leksell Gamma Knife® has been used in treatment of over 250,000 patients around the world and each year more than 30,000 patients receive treatment from some of the close to 200 units installed around the world.***********For further information, please contact:International: Peter Ejemyr, Group VP Corporate Communications, Elekta AB (publ),Phone: +46 733 611 000, e-mail: peter.ejemyr@elekta.com United States: Lars Jonsteg, VP Investor Relations North America, Elekta, USAPhone: +1 770-670-2419, e-mail: lars.jonsteg@elekta.comElekta 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 additional information about Elekta, please visit www.elekta.com------------------------------------------------------------This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.netThe following files are available for download:http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/03/31/20040331BIT20510/wkr0006.pdf