Endocare Elects Dole to Boost Treatment for Prostate Cancer

Endocare Inc., a tiny Irvine medical-device maker, has hired former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole to help spread the word about its minimally invasive procedure for treating prostate cancer.

The 75-year-old former Senate majority leader and 1996 Republican presidential nominee has been an outspoken champion of early detection as the key to his successful treatment of the disease in 1991.

Dole, who has proclaimed himself the nation’s “prostate pinup boy,” has appeared in public-service television ads urging greater awareness of the disease.

He also has sponsored prostate cancer testing booths, and hosted meetings of a prostate cancer support group.

Endocare’s medical probe, which freezes and kills tumors, received Food and Drug Administration approval two years ago. The company still is seeking Medicare’s approval to cover the $18,000 procedure.

As a result, sales of the device have been limited because most of its potential patients are on the federally funded health plan for the elderly, company officials said Wednesday.

They’re counting on Dole to help build awareness of the device as they press for Medicare approval.

“We wanted to reach out to our potential patient base, we were looking for a high-profile prostate cancer patient, and on the top of our list was Sen. Dole,” said Paul Mikus, Endocare’s chairman and chief executive.

Dole agreed to join Endocare’s board of directors as an “honorary” member. He will serve for a year and receive compensation similar to regular board members, who get options to buy up to 20,000 shares that are exercisable over time. The company didn’t disclose exact details of Dole’s compensation.

Dole couldn’t be reached for comment.

Endocare officials approached the career politician about a year ago about the possibility of developing a relationship tying his cause with the company’s future, Mikus said. The company also worked through Dole’s office to learn how to wend its way through Medicare’s regulatory process.

Dole will mention the company’s technology as he continues to promote early detection of the disease, Mikus said. Among other things, Dole likely will work exhibit booths on prostate cancer at the Kansas State Fair and medical conferences next year.

In coming months, Mikus said, Endocare plans to present Medicare with findings of clinical studies that have tracked about 700 patients for five years after they were treated with Endocare’s procedure. He said that 85% were disease-free after that time.

The procedures--involving a $16,000 freezer box and single-use probes that sell for $2,000 apiece--cost the patient about $18,000, Mikus said.

Endocare posted revenue of $1.6 million for the nine months ended Sept. 30, up 8% from $1.5 million in the same period last year. The company’s loss widened to $3.4 million, or 36 cents a share, for the nine months, from a $2.9-million deficit, or 36 cents, a year earlier.

Endocare shares fell 19 cents, to $2.81, in Nasdaq trading Wednesday.