Miraculins Granted U.S. Patent on PreVu(R) Skin Cholesterol Technology
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - June 11, 2012) -Miraculins Inc. (TSX VENTURE:MOM), a medical diagnostic company focused on developing and commercializing diagnostic tests and risk assessment technologies for unmet clinical needs, announces today that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a patent that covers use of spectrophotometric measurements for the non-invasive analysis of skin cholesterol. The allowed patent will cover elements that are key to the PreVu® Non-Invasive Skin Cholesterol Point of Care (POC) Test, specifically relating to the PreVu Handheld Spectrophotometer, which is used to read the level of skin cholesterol during the test.
"We are pleased with the allowance of this patent which significantly strengthens Miraculins' intellectual property portfolio in the U.S. market. In addition to broadening coverage of the PreVu technology, which is protected by a number of patents and patents pending in North America and internationally, this is another important step towards introducing the PreVu technology into one of the largest markets in the world," stated Christopher J. Moreau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Miraculins Inc.
In the U.S., the FDA has directed that "Skin cholesterol as measured by the PreVu POC can be used as part of risk assessment for coronary heart disease in persons with a history of myocardial infarction and/or in persons suspected of having significant multi-vessel coronary artery disease (>50% stenosis in >1 vessel as diagnosed by coronary angiography) where further diagnostic evaluation is being considered. Test results, when considered in conjunction with clinical evaluation, blood cholesterol tests and other risk factors identified for coronary artery disease, will aid the physician in focusing diagnostic and patient management options."
Miraculins recently announced the launch of a new English Canadian website for PreVu (www.prevu.com). In addition, the Company has established distribution partnerships for the Canadian medical community and Canadian retail pharmacy market with The Stevens Company and with Pear Healthcare Solutions Inc., respectively.
About The PreVu®Non-Invasive Skin Cholesterol Test
Skin cholesterol is the cholesterol that has been deposited and diffused into tissue, as opposed to freely circulating in the bloodstream, and has been shown in clinical trials to be strongly associated with significant CAD as measured by treadmill stress testing, coronary angiography, coronary calcium, carotid artery thickening and carotid artery plaque. The PreVu POC Test is completely painless, non-invasive, involves no blood draw or needles, requires no overnight fasting and involves no handling of potentially hazardous biomaterials. It has been developed to provide new and additive information about CAD risk that is independent of traditional risk factors, such as blood cholesterol, to help physicians more effectively assess their patients' risk. The test is conducted on the palm of the hand in less than 5 minutes with results being immediately available.
About Miraculins Inc.
Miraculins is a medical diagnostic development company focused on acquiring, developing and commercializing non-invasive tests for unmet clinical needs. A significant number of promising diagnostic opportunities remain un-commercialized because of the sizable gap between the discovery stage, when research institutions are typically involved, and the commercialization stage, when the larger commercial enterprises become interested. Miraculins has direct experience in bridging this gap. The Company's PreVu technology is a revolutionary new coronary artery disease risk assessment technology that measures cholesterol levels in a patient's skin non-invasively, painlessly and without the need for fasting. Miraculins is also advancing a suite of biomarkers to aid in the early detection of the devastating disease of pregnancy known as preeclampsia. The Company's preeclampsia program is partnered with Alere, Inc. (NYSE:ALR) (formerly known as Inverness Medical Innovations), one of the world's largest diagnostic companies.
For more information on Miraculins please visit www.miraculins.com.
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These risks and uncertainties should be considered carefully and prospective investors should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, Miraculins cannot provide assurance that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Miraculins undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.
PreVu®is a registered trademark of Miraculins Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2012.