New data validates PREVU(x) LT Skin Sterol Test
26 Julho 2005 - 11:25AM
PR Newswire (US)
New data validates PREVU(x) LT Skin Sterol Test Lab-processed
format of PREVU(x) reliably measures skin sterol TORONTO, July 26
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PREVU(x) LT Skin Sterol Test, the
lab-processed format of IMI International Medical Innovations
Inc.'s (Amex: IME; TSX: IMI) non-invasive test for cardiovascular
disease risk assessment, can effectively measure skin tissue
cholesterol on the palm of the hand, according to new data
presented today at the American Association for Clinical Chemistry
(AACC) Annual Meeting, in Orlando, Florida. "This data clearly
validates the PREVU(x) LT format, showing that skin samples can be
reliably taken and sent to a laboratory for batch analysis of skin
sterol levels," said Dr. Brent Norton, President and Chief
Executive Officer. "Equally important, this study represents the
first data showing that results from PREVU(x) LT and PREVU(x) POC
are comparable. It's also the first time that data on PREVU(x) LT
has been presented in a scientific forum, which enhances the
credibility and market visibility of this new test format." The
PREVU(x) family of products also includes PREVU(x) Point of Care
(POC) Skin Sterol Test, which is cleared for sale and currently
being commercialized in Canada, the U.S. and select European
markets, and PREVU(x) PT Skin Sterol Test, a home-use format of the
technology that is still in development. PREVU(x) is marketed
worldwide by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Canada. About the Study
The study tested 156 normal patients with PREVU(x) LT,
demonstrating no difference between males (0.204) and females
(0.222). Sampling from left and right palms showed no significant
differences between mean skin sterol values (0.222 and 0.221
respectively). Reproducibility of PREVU(x) LT was also shown to be
similar to that of PREVU(x) POC. For 99 patients attending a
cardiology clinic, the data showed a statistically significant
relationship (p(equal sign)0.013) between results from PREVU(x) LT
and results from PREVU(x) POC. The abstract, titled A novel,
non-invasive skin-stripping device and method for measurement of
cholesterol in skin samples, was co-authored by P.Horsewood, R.
Zawydiwski, M. Evelegh, M. Patterson, S. Dudek and M. Gupta.
PREVU(x) LT is currently in numerous clinical trials, including a
25,000-participant study in the life-insurance testing industry
that is being conducted with the participation of selected U.S.
life insurers and other industry partners. According to the most
recent data, in 2003 approximately 13.5 million individual life
insurance policies were purchased in the United States, a
significant number of which do not include a cardiovascular disease
assessment. PREVU(x) LT could be a cost effective tool for
insurance companies to better manage this risk. 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/. Corporate Name Change In September 2005, IMI
will change its corporate name to PreMD Inc. to better reflect the
company's leading position in the predictive medicine field. The
new website will be http://www.premdinc.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 successful development or marketing of the
Company's products, the competitiveness of the Company's products
if successfully commercialized, the lack of operating profit and
availability of funds and resources to pursue R&D projects, the
successful and timely completion of clinical studies, product
liability, reliance on third-party manufacturers, the ability of
the Company to take advantage of business opportunities,
uncertainties related to the regulatory process, the inability of
the Company to change its name to PreMD Inc. in the time projected
due to any reason, 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: U.S. Investor
Contact: Sarah Borg-Olivier, Director, Communications, T: (416)
222-3449, ; John Nesbett, Sally Martin, The Investor Relations
Group, T: (212) 825-3210, ,
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