Confirma, Inc. and Guardian Techologies International, Inc. Sign Collaboration and Strategic Alliance Agreement
Thursday April 26, 9:31 am ET
HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Guardian Technologies International, Inc. (OTCBB:GDTI - News), a leading provider of high-performance security and healthcare imaging solutions, announced that it has signed a collaboration and strategic alliance agreement with Confirma, Inc., the leader in computer-aided-detection (CAD) for magnetic resonance imaging. The parties have agreed to collaborate on the design, development and commercialization of radiology imaging solutions for new clinical applications.
Confirma is the market leader for CAD systems for breast MRI with over 700 CADstream(TM) systems installed in hundreds of breast MRI programs around the world. CADstream(TM) has gained widespread acceptance and is now used by thousands of physicians for more efficient, standardized analysis and reporting of breast MRI studies. To that end, the companies are analyzing the most effective delivery (near and long-term) of the combined technologies through Confirma's distribution channels.
Bill Donovan, President and Chief Operating Officer of Guardian Technologies stated, "I'm tremendously excited about our collaboration and strategic alliance with an industry leader of Confirma's status. Collectively, we are acutely aware of the challenges facing today's radiologists and share a common vision for improving patient care. I believe our joint efforts can lead to breakthrough imaging solutions to long standing radiology challenges and should produce exciting new products that will bring significant benefits to the practice of radiology."
Guardian provides a patent-pending Signature Mapping(TM) technology for tissue characterization and advanced visualization and image analysis. Initial research being conducted at the University of Southern California has found Signature Mapping(TM) to be effective at distinguishing and quantifying Multiple Sclerosis lesions in the brain, as well as, lesions within dense and fatty breast tissue. Early research has also found the technology to be promising in prostate MRI studies and CT brain scans.
"This agreement with Guardian Technologies International supports Confirma's commitment to providing innovative technology for improved efficiency, standardization and accuracy in medical imaging," said Paul Budak, Vice President, Research and Development, Confirma. "As medical imaging continues to evolve, new tools for analysis and interpretation are necessary. Signature Mapping(TM) is a unique product for image analysis and visualization and we look forward to a productive partnership with Guardian."
About Signature Mapping(TM)
Signature Mapping(TM) is the next step in imaging technology evolution beyond pattern recognition. It is a dynamic, iterative process, in which specifically designed algorithms impact image pixels causing the group of pixels representing each tissue to respond in a unique collective way.
This response-based reaction generates new groups of "self-classifying" pixels. These self-classifying groups provide a unique set of signatures for each tissue or material. The resulting "signature mapped" data, enables the implementation of a rich set of imaging tools that provide new clinical approaches for medicine. These include image clarification and visualization, feature extraction, tissue characterization and quantification, disease detection, monitoring and staging. Process works effectively across all imaging modalities.
About Confirma, Inc.
Confirma, Inc. develops and markets CAD systems and accessories for medical imaging. CADstream(TM) is the standard in CAD for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CADstream(TM) automates the analysis and interventional guidance of MRI studies, providing higher quality imaging studies, lower costs for radiology practices and improved communication tools for physicians and patients. In its initial application, CADstream(TM) is being used to assist in the analysis, interventional guidance and reporting of breast MRI studies. CADstream(TM) is DICOM 3.0 compliant, allowing integration with any MRI scanner and PACS. The company plans to adapt its proven CAD technology to advance other medical imaging applications.
Confirma has established partnerships with companies including GE Healthcare, Philips Medical Systems, Hologic, iCAD and Vital Images. Confirma has partnered with hundreds of imaging centers and corporate partners worldwide since 2003, helping develop more standardized, high performance breast MRI programs that deliver premium patient care. Confirma Europe GmbH opened operations recently in Berlin to further develop the European market. Frost & Sullivan recently recognized Confirma with the 2006 Industry Innovation and Advancement Award for the U.S. CAD market. For more information, visit www.confirma.com or call 877-811-2356.
About Guardian Technologies International, Inc.
Guardian Technologies International, Inc. (OTCBB:GDTI - News) employs high-performance imaging technologies and advanced analytics to create integrated information management products and services. Guardian's technologies are focused on two primary markets: Homeland Defense and Healthcare Solutions. Guardian's homeland defense security technologies provide highly accurate threat-item detection at the image-scanning level, and the company's Healthcare Solutions for radiology improve information and process flow with state-of-the-art CAD technology. For additional information, please visit Guardian's web site at www.guardiantechintl.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this document and those made from time to time by Guardian through its senior management are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to the future events or financial performance discussed in this release, based on management's beliefs and assumptions and information currently available. When used, the words "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "project", "should", "expect", "plan", "assume" and similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements concerning future plans or results are necessarily only estimates and actual results could differ materially from expectations. Certain factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among other things, in particular, the size and timing of contract awards, performance on contracts, performance of acquired companies, availability and cost of key components, unanticipated results from audits of the financial results of the Company and acquired companies, changing interpretations of generally accepted accounting principles, outcomes of government reviews, developments with respect to litigation to which we are a party, potential fluctuations in quarterly results, dependence on large contracts and a limited number of customers, lengthy sales and implementation cycles, market acceptance of new or enhanced products and services, proprietary technology and changing competitive conditions, system performance, management of growth, dependence on key personnel, ability to obtain project financing, general economic and political conditions and other factors affecting spending by customers, the unpredictable nature of working with government agencies and other risks, uncertainties and factors including those described from time to time in Guardian's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation, Guardian's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Guardian expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
Contact:
Guardian Technologies International, Inc.
Richard Borrelli, 703-481-4861
or
Michael W. Trudnak, 703-464-5495
or info@guardiantechintl.com
or
Confirma, Inc.
Meghan Mitchell, 425-576-3243
Source: Guardian Technologies International, Inc.
