International sales propel Imatron to fourth straight profitable quarter

Firm takes over some distribution from Siemens

The good times continue to roll at ultrafast CT developer Imatron.The South San Francisco, CA, company last month announced itsfourth consecutive profitable quarter, with record revenues andan $800,000 improvement in earnings over the same period lastyear.

Imatron has enjoyed growing demand this year for its ultrafastCT technology after sluggish years in 1992 and 1993. Several recentlyreleased studies have supported the clinical utility of its technologyin detecting early stages of coronary artery disease in asymptomaticpatients (SCAN 9/14/94).

The Pacific Rim in particular has been a hot spot for Imatron.The company last month landed a $4.5 million contract from Thailandand a $2.5 million order from Taiwan for C-150 scanners.

Imatron's revenues for the third quarter (end-September) were$8.9 million, a company record that reflected the shipment offive C-150 systems. The figure is 4% higher than the $8.6 millionposted in the third quarter of 1993. The numbers do not includerevenue from the Thailand and Taiwan sales, which will registerin the company's fourth quarter.

Imatron's earnings present an even rosier picture. The companyhad net income for the quarter of $582,000, compared to a lossof $223,000 in the same period last year. The firm's operatingprofit was $711,000.