IMI granted new skin sterol patent in Europe
09 December 2004 - 1:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
IMI granted new skin sterol patent in Europe Strengthens
positioning of PREVU(x) Skin Sterol Test in key markets, including
U.K. TORONTO, Dec. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- IMI International
Medical Innovations Inc. (Amex: IME; TSX: IMI), a leader in
predictive medicine, today announced that the European Patent
Office has granted IMI a new patent related to the company's skin
sterol and cardiovascular risk assessment technology, titled
"Multi-layer Analytical Element". The European patent, which has
been granted for 11 European countries, including the United
Kingdom, is for a multi-layer analytical "thin film" that could
lead to new film-based techniques for determining the amount of
cholesterol in skin tissues. This patent has already been granted
in the United States, Canada, China, Australia and South Korea, and
is pending in Brazil, Japan and Mexico. "This patent strengthens
our positioning in Europe, where coronary artery disease is a key
health concern," said Dr. Brent Norton, President and Chief
Executive Officer. "In the U.K., low-dose cholesterol-lowering
medications are now available to patients over the counter in
pharmacies, without a prescription - which shows that point-of-care
counseling by health care professionals is a key focus in combating
heart disease. We expect this environment to create important
opportunities for PREVU(x) Skin Sterol Test as a new tool for risk
assessment." Dr. Norton continued, "Overall, this latest patent
broadens and enhances our intellectual property position around
PREVU(x) Skin Sterol Test in major world markets. Our strategy is
to control and develop all relevant technologies that could be
applied to skin sterol, which ensures that we can continue to build
upon this innovative product line." About IMI IMI is a world leader
in predictive medicine, dedicated to developing rapid, non-invasive
tests for the early detection of life-threatening diseases. IMI's
cardiovascular products, branded as PREVU(x) Skin Sterol Test, will
be marketed and distributed worldwide by McNeil Consumer
Healthcare. The company's cancer tests include ColorectAlert(TM),
LungAlert(TM) and a breast cancer test. IMI's head office is
located in Toronto, and its research and product development
facility is at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. For
further information, please visit http://www.imimedical.com/. This
press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements
involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could
cause IMI's actual results to differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include,
among others, the lack of operating profit and availability of
funds and resources to pursue R&D projects, the successful and
timely completion of clinical studies, the successful development
or marketing of IMI's products, reliance on third-party
manufacturers, the competitiveness of IMI's products if
successfully commercialized, the ability of IMI to take advantage
of business opportunities, uncertainties related to the regulatory
process, and general changes in economic conditions. In addition,
while IMI routinely obtains patents for its products and
technology, the protection offered by the Company's patents and
patent applications may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented
by our competitors and there can be no guarantee of our ability to
obtain or maintain patent protection for our products or product
candidates. Investors should consult IMI's quarterly and annual
filings with the Canadian and U.S. securities commissions for
additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the
forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to rely on
these forward-looking statements. IMI is providing this information
as of the date of this press release and does not undertake any
obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in
this press release as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise. DATASOURCE: IMI International Medical Innovations Inc.
CONTACT: Company Contact: Sarah Borg-Olivier, Director,
Communications, (416) 222-3449, ; U.S. Investor Contact, Jane Lin,
Andrea Faville, The Investor Relations Group, (212) 825-3210, ,
Copyright