HispanicBusiness

IRVINE, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 02/26/13 -- BIOLASE, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIOL), the world's leading dental laser manufacturer and distributor, announced today that it launched the EPIC V-Series™ veterinary soft-tissue diode laser, at the 85th Western Veterinary Conference held this past February 18-20 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Over 6,500 veterinarians and 15,000 veterinary professionals attended the conference.

The EPIC V-Series soft-tissue diode laser is based on the recently released modular EPIC 10™ platform for medical and dental use. The EPIC V-Series can be used for a wide range of veterinary applications, including surgical, dental, and pain therapy procedures. BIOLASE expects the EPIC V-Series will be available to ship throughout North America and Europe, as well as several other international markets, beginning early in the second quarter of 2013.

The EPIC V-Series has a number of significant features including: pricing that is over 30% less than the competition with comparable technology; easy installation that can be performed by the office staff in just a few minutes; fully-portable, cordless and wireless with a battery that lasts an average work day for surgical and dental procedures; a wireless foot pedal; the lightest unit in the Class 4, 10 watt category, which is ergonomically efficient when moving between exam rooms or for use in a field environment; the only laser on the market with our patented EZ Tips technology for dental and surgical procedures; on-line training through webinars and podcasts; the most aesthetically pleasing laser in veterinary medicine with sleek black ergonomic design and intuitive touch screen; and platform technology that was masterfully designed to allow BIOLASE to easily transition into many different markets by simply adapting the software and providing the appropriate delivery system.

There are approximately 70,000 veterinarians and nearly 34,000 veterinary clinics in North America. This market segment is expected to increase 35 percent over the next 10 years. There are also more than 100,000 veterinarians and 30,000 veterinary clinics in Europe. Further, according to research from the Freedonia Group, a leading international business research company, consumer spending on domesticated animals in the U.S. alone is forecast to reach $44 billion in 2014.

Federico Pignatelli, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are very pleased to introduce our EPIC soft-tissue diode laser platform into the veterinary market, which is one of many exciting opportunities available for our innovative patented laser technologies. Families seek the very best care for their pets, and the EPIC V-Series allows veterinarians to provide a significantly improved and wider range of treatment solutions. During the recent Western Veterinary Conference, we demonstrated the product and took advance orders. We initially expect to address this fast-growing market segment with our inside sales force and through an online store, and ultimately expand it through a variety of strategic distributor relationships. We are especially excited to apply our technology and vast body of clinical experience in humans for the treatment of gum disease, one of the most serious and common diseases in cats, dogs and horses, and for chronic pain. We look forward to joining other dental companies that have successfully entered and grown their veterinary businesses, including Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), with Butler Schein Animal Health, and Patterson Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ: PDCO), with Webster Veterinary Supply, now called Patterson Veterinary."