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Wednesday January 24, 2:50 pm Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: IMI International Medical Innovations
Inc.
IMI expands skin cholesterol research with
Vancouver study
Regulatory approvals, partnering negotiations expected to meet targets
TORONTO, Jan. 24 /CNW/ - IMI International Medical Innovations Inc. (TSE:
IMI - news) announced today that it has undertaken a new clinical trial involving
its non-invasive cholesterol test, Cholesterol 1,2,3(TM). The study is being led by
Dr. G. B. John Mancini, Head of the Department of Medicine at the University of
British Columbia, and will compare Cholesterol 1,2,3(TM) with recognized
diagnostic approaches including measures of carotid atheroma burden and of
vascular endothelial dysfunction.
"This trial may provide another interesting angle for the skin cholesterol method,
beyond the core application that is already established," said Dr. Mancini. "We
may find, for example, that using Cholesterol 1,2,3 in combination with one of
these other methods is more accurate than existing approaches for identifying
individuals in need of treatment for cardiovascular disease."
"While we continue to expand the scientific foundation for Cholesterol 1,2,3, we
are moving forward aggressively on the regulatory and partnering fronts. We are
on target with our Canadian and U.S. regulatory submissions. Canadian approval
could come as soon as later this quarter. At the same time, our discussions are
progressing well with potential partners to market and distribute Cholesterol
1,2,3," said Dr. Norton.
Cholesterol 1,2,3 is a rapid, non-invasive test that measures cholesterol in the
skin. The test takes three minutes and reads a colour change in a drop of liquid on
the palm of the hand. The latest clinical trial results - presented at the American
Heart Association meeting in November - showed that skin cholesterol, as
measured by Cholesterol 1,2,3, correlated strongly with angiographically proven
coronary artery disease. By comparison, blood cholesterol was not as good a
correlate as skin cholesterol. These results indicate that this test can effectively
predict cardiovascular disease without the needle prick, fasting and waiting
associated with blood tests.
IMI is a world leader in the field of predictive medicine. The Company is
dedicated to developing rapid and non-invasive products for the early detection of
life-threatening diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. IMI's head
office is in Toronto, and its research facility is at McMaster University in
Hamilton, Ontario. Common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange
(TSE:IMI, 18,655,199 outstanding).
This release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the company's
current expectation regarding future events. The forward-looking statements
involve risk and uncertainties. Actual events could differ materially from those
projected herein and depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to,
changing market conditions, successful and timely completion of clinical studies,
uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process, establishment of corporate
alliances and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's quarterly
filings.
For further information
Andrew Weir, Director, Communications, IMI, (416) 222-3449,
aweir@imin.ca, www.imin.ca |
