Imatron reports record EBCT sales revenue

Rising sales of its proprietary electron-beam computed tomography scanner sent Imatron’s sales soaring during the second fiscal quarter of 2000. Revenue for the three months ending June 30 was $15.5 million, an increase of 87% over revenue of $8.3 million for the same period a year earlier, the company announced.

Net income for the same three-month period increased $3 million to $1 million, compared to a net loss of $1.9 million for the same period a year ago. Second-quarter revenue increased 37% and net income increased 321% over Imatron’s first quarter, end March 31, 2000.

Imatron has shown rising sales of its scanners (which the company calls simply “EBT”) in the U.S. and abroad. The firm is investing in development of an international sales staff to increase business in Japan, China, Germany, and the Middle East (SCAN, 7/5/00).

The primary use of Imatron scanners has been to detect coronary artery calcium, a technique that has been called into question in a joint statement by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association for the shortage of conclusive studies on its efficacy. Imatron’s defenders, in turn, criticized the consensus paper.

So far, the controversy has not dampened Imatron’s sales.