BICO Subsidiary, ViaCirq, and Veterans Medical Center Enter Into ThermoChem(TM) HT System Evaluation Agreement
PITTSBURGH, May 23, 2001 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- BICO, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: BIKO chart, msgs) subsidiary, ViaCirq, Inc., a leading developer and marketer of extracorporeal hyperthermia medical devices, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with a Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) to use and evaluate the ThermoChem(TM) HT System as part of an operative procedure to deliver intraperitoneal hyperthermia (IPH). The Evaluation Agreement requires the VA Medical Center to purchase IPH procedure kits for each treatment. The first IPH treatment, using the ThermoChem HT System, was administered on May 14, 2001.
VAMC management will discuss the feasibility of whether this surgical procedure, utilizing the ThermoChem HT System, can be marketed to other VA Medical Centers regionally or nationally.
IPH is used as an adjunctive therapy with surgery and chemotherapy in treatment of advanced gastrointestinal and ovarian cancer. The use of IPH treatments, like the one performed at the VAMC, have been shown to improve both survival and quality of life for patients with these advanced stage cancers.
ViaCirq received FDA clearance to market the ThermoChem HT System last year. The ThermoChem HT System is used to raise the core temperature of the abdominal cavity to the desired target temperature in the 41C (105.8F) to 42C (107.6F) range by continuously bathing the abdominal cavity with circulating sterile solution.
BICO, Inc. has its corporate offices in Pittsburgh, PA and is involved in the development and manufacture of biomedical devices and environmental solutions. BICO's subsidiary, ViaCirq, Inc., also located in Pittsburgh, PA, is committed to becoming the worldwide market leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing leading-edge hyperthermia products and services of the highest quality and value.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Investors Media
Diane McQuaide Susan Taylor
1-412-429-0673 phone 1-412-429-0673 phone
1-412-279-9690 fax 1-412-279-5041 fax
INVESTOR RELATIONS NEWSLINE NUMBER: 1-800-357-6204
www.bico.com
This press release contains statements of a forward looking nature. Shareholders and potential investors are cautioned that such statements are predictions and actual events or results may vary significantly.
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Source: BICO, Incorporated
Contact:
Investors: Diane McQuaide, 412-429-0673, or fax 412-279-9690,
or Media: Susan Taylor, 412-429-0673, or 412-279-5041, both of BICO
URL: bico.com
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