NEWS: Biophan Finalizes Exclusive License ...(more)...
(BSNS WIRE) Biophan Finalizes Exclusive License to Breakthrough Technology fo
MRI Visualization Inside Implanted Vascular Stents
Biophan Finalizes Exclusive License to Breakthrough Technology for MRI Visualiza
ion Inside Implanted Vascular Stents
Medical Writers / Business Editors / Health Editors
ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 16, 2005--
Newest Biophan Solution Enables Highly Accurate MR
Angiograms to Diagnose Vascular Health and Reduce
Reliance on X-Ray Angiography
Biophan Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:BIPH), a developer of
next-generation medical technology, has finalized an exclusive license
with leading German biomedical researchers, Dr. Arno Bucker and Dr.
Alexander Ruebben, for their breakthrough stent technology enabling
accurate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in or around metallic
stents. MRI has not been able to visualize the interior of metallic
stents, because current generations of stents create image artifacts
and do not allow visualization of the stent lumen. Procedures such as
MR vessel wall imaging and plaque imaging are not possible in the
stented vessel segments.
The new technology developed at the Radiology Department of
Professor Gunther at the University Hospital in Aachen uses a special
design and material. The imaging of stent interiors by traditional
X-ray angiography requires an invasive procedure and only allows
visualization of the vessel lumen. Biophan's newly licensed solution
is designed to enable non-invasive, safer, less costly and more useful
MRI-based imaging of stent interiors and the adjacent vessel walls.
One possible additional advantage is that molecular research on the
effects and physiology of drug eluting stents could be carried out
non-invasively by MRI.
Together with the existing technologies already held by Biophan,
including those obtained through the Company's recent acquisition of
aMRIs GmbH, the exclusive license with Dr Bucker and Dr. Ruebben will
give Biophan licensing ownership to two of the most promising methods
to create artifact-free images of stents and implants with MRI
systems. "The technologies are very synergistic and the combination
could prove to be very beneficial," commented Michael Friebe, PhD, CEO
of Biophan Europe. "We now have the only proven methods for
non-invasive imaging of stent performance."
Dr. Bucker, a clinical professor of radiology at the University of
Aachen, is one of the leading experts in interventional MR. The
University of Aachen is a renowned clinical research institution and
one of the leading radiology research centers in the world and is led
by Prof. Rolf W. Gunther. Dr. Bucker will continue to work on further
improvements to the licensed technology together with Biophan Europe.
Dr. Ruebben, a former radiologist from Aachen University Hospital and
now CEO of Aachen Resonance, will also assist in further advancing the
research on MRI compatible stents together with Biophan Europe.
Due to its excellent image quality, diagnostic accuracy, and
overall safety, MRI-based angiography is increasingly replacing
diagnostic X-ray angiography for vascular imaging throughout the body.
Biophan is a leading force in the development of technology to
make medical devices safe and image compatible in MRI environments.
About Biophan Technologies
Biophan develops and markets cutting-edge technologies designed to
make biomedical devices safe and compatible with the magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) environment. The Company develops enabling
technologies for implanted medical systems such as pacemakers and
interventional surgical devices such as catheters, guidewires, stents,
and other implants to allow them to be safely and effectively imaged
under MRI. The technology is also being used to create MRI contrast
agents, and has expanded to include other applications, such as drug
delivery and power systems derived from body heat. Four Biophan
technologies include advances in nanotechnology and thin film
coatings. Committed to growth through innovation and developmental
leadership, Biophan and its licensors now hold a total of 127 U.S.
patents, licenses, or applications. This total includes 37 issued U.S.
patents, 8 recently-allowed applications that will issue as patents in
the near future, and 82 pending applications at various stages of
examination at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, plus
international applications. The patents cover areas including
nanotechnology (nanomagnetic particle coatings), radio frequency
filters, polymer composites, thermoelectric materials for batteries
generating power from body heat, and photonics. Biophan has joint
development arrangements with Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX) and
NASA's Ames Center for Nanotechnology. Biophan's goal is to make all
biomedical devices capable of safely and successfully working with
MRI, and delivering other technologies which will improve quality of
life. For more information, please visit www.biophan.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain
statements included in this press release may constitute
forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities
laws. These statements reflect what Biophan anticipates, expects, or
believes may happen in the future. Biophan's actual results could
differ materially from the outcome or circumstance expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of
factors including, but not limited to: Biophan's ability to develop
its technologies; the approval of Biophan's patent applications; the
successful implementation of Biophan's research and development
programs; the ability of Biophan to demonstrate the effectiveness of
its technology; the acceptance by the market of Biophan's technology
and products incorporating such technology, the ability of Biophan to
effectively negotiate and enter into contracts with medical device
manufacturers for the licensing of Biophan's technology; competition;
the ability of Biophan to raise capital to fund its operating and
research and development activities until it generates revenues
sufficient to do so; and the timing of projects and trends in future
operating performance, as well as other factors expressed from time to
time in Biophan's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC"). As a result, this press release should be read
in conjunction with Biophan's periodic filings with the SEC which are
incorporated herein by reference. The forward-looking statements
contained herein are made only as of the date of this press release,
and Biophan undertakes no obligation to publicly update such
forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or
circumstances.
KEYWORD: NORTH AMERICA NEW YORK UNITED STATES
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY HEALTH BIOTECHNOLOGY MEDICAL DEVICES PHARMACEUTICAL
MANUFACTURING PRODUCT/SERVICE
SOURCE: Biophan Technologies, Inc.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Biophan Technologies, Inc.
Carolyn Hotchkiss, 585-214-2407
or
Press Interviews:
Jennifer Gould, 212-843-8037
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