VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - February 09, 2016) - I-Minerals Inc. (TSX VENTURE: IMA) (OTCQX: IMAHF) (the "Company") announces its UltraHallopure halloysite has been a key ingredient in the development of a new wound treatment material by Institute of Diabetes "Gerhardt Katsch" Karlsburg ("IDK"). The new wound treatment material utilizes a new impregnation technology developed by DURTEC GmbH of Neubrandenburg, Germany ("DURTEC") wherein halloysite nanotubes ("HNTs") can be "loaded" and then impregnated into textile fibres.
I-Minerals' UltraHallopure halloysite is a +90% halloysite product with the residual balance being kaolinite. Halloysite from the Company's Helmer-Bovill property has a unique combination of very low heavy metal content and high aspect ratio, which when taken with the comparatively large size of the HNTs offers what is reported to be the best halloysite known for life science applications. In this application, the hollow internal core of the tubular halloysite, which is reported to be the largest of all the halloysites, is filled with certain medicinal products which release over time as the HNT erodes as it comes in contact with liquids.
The IDK, in collaboration with DURTEC, designed the project and entered it in biomedical competition hosted by the Government of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern country. This project was elected and honored last year with a prize including funding support of 200,000EUR for additional research.
At the kick-off meeting held at Karlsburg on January 13, 2016 the Director of the IDK, Dr. Eckhard Salzsieder said, "It is a pleasure and honor for our Institute to be among the first researchers to test this new type of a halloysite nanotube-based medical device for wound treatment. We are optimistic for the outcome of our animal test program."
Tom Conway, CEO of I-Minerals Inc. stated, "We are thrilled to have our Ultra Hallopure halloysite selected by a leading diabetes research institute for development of the wound treatment material. With competitor's halloysite products containing cristobalite, higher heavy metals or a lower aspect ratio, this research helps position I-Minerals as a leading supplier to the life sciences market and we see a great market potential in the future for several Life Science uses."
A. Lamar Long, CPG, is a qualified person ("QP") for I-Minerals Inc. and has reviewed and approved the contents of this release.
About I-Minerals Inc.
I-Minerals is developing multiple deposits of high purity, high value halloysite, quartz, potassium feldspar and kaolin at its strategically located Helmer-Bovill property in north central Idaho. A 2014 Prefeasibility Study on the Bovill Kaolin Deposit completed by SRK Consulting (USA) Inc. demonstrated robust economics. A full feasibility study is being led by GBM Engineers LLC with an expected completion in the first quarter of 2016 with full permitting expected in the second quarter of 2016.
About Institute of Diabetes "Gerhardt Katsch" Karlsburg ("IDK")
IDK has a long tradition and expertise in the medical treatment of diabetics, in experimental, animal and clinical research on diabetes mellitus, in the training of doctors in the field of diabetology and in the organization and coordination of care for diabetics at other hospitals. IDK was founded in 1930 it is named after the diabetologists Gerhardt Katsch, who worked as an internist at the University of Greifswald.
About DURTEC GmbH
DURTEC was founded in 1990 by Dr. Joachim Schomburg and operates a modern laboratory. It is a leader in mineral-based applications for Nanotechnology and Clean Technology and a developer of a related IPR-portfolio. Dr. Schomburg has more than 35 years' experience in Technical Mineralogy and has authored more than 80 scientific papers. Development and deliveries of selected value-added mineral products for Life Science- and nanotechnology-based applications are major issues of DURTEC's business. DURTEC provides consulting services to a number of mineral companies including I-Minerals.
I-Minerals Inc.
Per: "Thomas M. Conway"
Thomas M. Conway,
President & CEO
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This News Release includes certain "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization and resources, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of the Company are forward looking statements that involve various risks. Actual results could differ materially from those projected as a result of the following factors, among others: changes in the world wide price of mineral market conditions, risks inherent in mineral exploration, risk associated with development, construction and mining operations, the uncertainty of future profitability and uncertainty of access to additional capital.