Irish firm Bio-Medical Research (BMR) has won regulatory approval from the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to sell its Slendertone products in retail outlets in the US. Previously, they could be sold only on prescription.

The company estimates the opening of the US market will be worth $50 million (€57 million) in the first year. As a consequence, 170 jobs will be created in the coming months, half of which will be in Ireland. Bio-Medical Research plans to seek a stock exchange listing in 2003.

The company employs 400 people between its headquarters in Galway, its manufacturing plant in Derrybeg in the Donegal Gaeltacht, and in Britain, Europe and the US.

Mr Kevin McDonnell, chief executive of Bio-Medical Research, said yesterday: "It is a tremendous endorsement from such a highly respected body."