IMI Announces First Acceptance of Patent for Color Measurement Process
March 31 2005 - 10:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
IMI Announces First Acceptance of Patent for Color Measurement
Process Technology used in PREVU(x) Skin Sterol Test as well as
cancer products TORONTO, March 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Leading
predictive medicine company IMI International Medical Innovations
Inc. (TSX: IMI; Amex: IME) today announced that its application for
a new patent, titled Color Space Analysis in Biochemical and
Immunological Assays, has been accepted by the Australian Patent
Office. The patent covers the process for quantifying a color
change reaction that is related to the presence of disease in
humans. This color-reading system is used throughout IMI's product
portfolio as part of the PREVU(x) Skin Sterol Test, a non-invasive
predictive test for coronary artery disease, and in IMI's cancer
detection tests, ColorectAlert(TM), LungAlert(TM) and a breast
cancer test. Australia is the first territory in which this patent
application has been accepted. This same patent is pending in the
U.S., Europe, Brazil, China, Russia, Hong Kong, India and Japan.
"This patent is an important part of a strategic portfolio that
enables IMI to set the standard for innovation in the predictive
medicine field," said Dr. Brent Norton, President and Chief
Executive Officer. "It further protects our cancer and skin sterol
technologies and bolsters our intellectual property position
internationally. Moreover, it opens the door to new growth and
licensing opportunities for our color-reading capability as a
platform for accurately quantifying human biologic reactions. IMI
can now apply this unique process to new technologies where
measurement has to date been challenging." IMI maintains a diverse
portfolio of intellectual property, such as trademarks, trade
secrets, and technological know-how. IMI's objective is to develop
and control all relevant technologies that could be applied to its
products. IMI's intellectual property portfolio currently includes
36 issued patents and patents pending related to the skin sterol
technology, 23 patents and patents pending related to IMI's cancer
technologies and nine patents and patents pending related to the
color measurement process. About IMI IMI
(http://www.imimedical.com/) 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, which are branded as PREVU(x) Skin Sterol Test, are
marketed and distributed worldwide by McNeil Consumer Healthcare,
Canada. 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
information regarding PREVU(x), please go visit
http://www.prevu.com/. This press release contains forward-looking
statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks and
uncertainties, which could cause the Company'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 the Company's
products, reliance on third-party manufacturers, the
competitiveness of the Company's products if successfully
commercialized, the ability of the Company to take advantage of
business opportunities, uncertainties related to the regulatory
process, and general changes in economic conditions. In addition,
while the Company 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 the Company'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, T: (416) 222-3449, ; U.S. Investor
Contact: Andrea Faville, Edward Abella, The Investor Relations
Group, T: (212) 825-3210, ,
Copyright