HyperBaric Systems Commences
Blood Platelet Validation Tests
taxin.com
Sacramento, California- July 16, 2001-HyperBaric Systems (OTC/BB: HYRB) announced that it has initiated a program to achieve third-party confirmation of its groundbreaking technology for refrigerated storage of blood platelets.
On May 23 of this year HyperBaric Scientific Director, Dr. David Lucas, announced that the company had achieved a ten-day preservation period of blood platelets.
In more than 40 years of blood platelet research no other company or individual has ever attained this milestone.
Platelets, the congealing component of blood, are currently stored at room temperature for up to five days. In Japan the allowed storage period is only three days.
In both cases this has caused logistic and bacterial problems for blood centers and hospitals. HyperBaric Systems is anticipating that their technology will greatly alleviate the current platelet problems and restrictions.
Cold storage of blood platelets has been a long-standing quest of the blood banking community, however, recovery of functional platelets utilizing this method, until now, has eluded several decades of concerted scientific effort.
The Palo Alto, California based biomedical company has commenced a series of third party validation tests with The Center For Blood Research, a division of the Sacramento Medical Foundation and highly regarded within the world medical community.
The tests are being conducted to validate and substantiate the recovery of viable platelets from cold storage, utilizing HyperBaric's proprietary technology.
Harry Masuda, President of HyperBaric Systems said he is very confident that the results will prove to be extremely impressive.
"This is the first step in preparing for our FDA approval," Masuda said. We expect the next step will be human infusion which we hope to begin in the next few months with another major independent testing facility."
"Considering that for more than 40 years some of the world's great scientists, doctors and researchers have been trying in vain to extend the shelf life of blood platelets, and we have done just that in three and a half years, makes me very proud," Masuda stated.
"Our staff is committed to achieving the highest standards in this quest for extended platelet preservation and we have all made sacrifices in striving for this goal."
"I'm sure we will have a very successful and profitable company, but the lives we will save throughout the world with our technology is priceless," Masuda added.
Dr. Paul Holland, CEO of The Center For Blood Research, and President of The International Society of Blood Transfusion, stated, "there are two vital and extremely important aspects associated with these tests."
"Number one. We are always concerned about bacterial growth. Even with a small amount of existing bacteria in the platelets, the bacteria can grow to levels where they can become lethal after five days of storage at room temperatures."
"With your system, as well as extending the shelf life of platelets by 100%, you have virtually stopped any further bacterial growth," he said. "This feature will assure a higher standard of safety for the recipient."
"Number two. If the ten day preservation period is validated, this will make platelets accessible to many regions of the world that have no access to platelets whatsoever."
"Presently there are many areas of the globe where cancer patients cannot undergo chemotherapy because they do not have blood platelets to support the procedures," he said.
Chemotherapy treatments destroy blood platelets and cancer patients undergoing this therapy must have constant and massive infusions to survive.
Dr. Malcolm R. Mackenzie, Director at the Center for Blood Research, will conduct the tests following protocols of the HyperBaric Systems technology from Dr. Lucas. "We anticipate results by the end August," Dr. Lucas said.
The Center for Blood Research fosters relationships with universities, biomedical research firms and scientists throughout the world to develop innovative ways to make the most effective and efficient use of donated blood and to ensure its safety.
This effort also includes developing new transfusion techniques for surgeons and oncologists and generating a greater understanding of the effects blood components have on blood diseases and disorders.
"If HyperBaric's research claims turn out to be true, the impact on the world medical environment will be considerable and dramatic. Blood platelet supplies and demands will be met with considerable ease compared to the inventory and waste problems caused by the five day shelf life they have at present," Dr. Mackenzie said.
Dr. Michael Strong, Executive Vice President Operations for the Puget Sound Blood Center stated the major focus on blood platelets has been on testing for, and eradicating viral infections.
"The viral risk factor has been reduced by 10,000 times during the last 15 years. Since the big concerns relating to viruses has diminished significantly, the focus has shifted to bacterial infections and clerical problems," Dr. Strong said.
"If the validation tests are successful, the HyperBaric Systems technology will go a long way in diminishing the bacterial problems. It won't eliminate the risk completely but it
will certainly greatly inhibit the growth of bacteria in the platelets," he said.
"And of course your additional shelf life will greatly enhance inventory control and dramatically reduce outdating waste."
Dr. Paul Ness, Director of Transfusion Medicine at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute said that the one of the current hazards of platelet transfusions is bacterial growth. "If your technology can inhibit bacterial growth and be stored in a refrigerated environment such as we do with red blood cells, this will be a big advantage to the industry," he said.
Dr. Luis Toledo, Chief Medical Officer of HyperBaric Systems, is also designing a program to develop improved solutions for the storage and transportation of transplant organs.
HyperBaric Systems has filed several patent applications covering their unique methodology, procedures and solutions for extending the shelf life of blood platelets and other biological materials.
Certain statements contained herein are ``forward-looking'' statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Because such statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those discussed in filings made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact:
Harry Masuda, President, 650-323-0943, hmasuda@california.com
Bob Strom, VP Marketing, 818-591-1754, restrom@cs.com
Rich Kaiser, Yes International, 800-631-8127, rich@yesinternational.com,
Mark Taggatz, Wall Street Marketing, 949-477-0640, wsmg@earthlink.net
Bobbi Cowan, PR Officer, Intermark, 818-346-1975, bcowanintermark@msn.com
HyperBaric Systems has issued to the Taxin Network 137,500 restricted shares for its advertising and promotional activities on their behalf. |
