Press Release Source: Biophan Technologies, Inc.
Biophan Finalizes Exclusive License to Breakthrough Technology for MRI Visualization Inside Implanted Vascular Stents Thursday June 16, 4:01 pm ET Newest Biophan Solution Enables Highly Accurate MR Angiograms to Diagnose Vascular Health and Reduce Reliance on X-Ray Angiography
ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 16, 2005-- Biophan Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:BIPH - News), 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.
ADVERTISEMENT 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 - News) 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. |