Growing evidence that skin sterol is linked to hidden heart disease

Growing evidence that skin sterol is linked to hidden heart
disease
Simple, non-invasive test reveals coronary artery disease in patients with no
symptoms 


TORONTO, March 7  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A simple, non-invasive test that
measures skin tissue cholesterol has demonstrated its ability to detect
subclinical vascular disease, according to new data to be presented today at
the 54th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology, in
Orlando, Florida. Skin tissue cholesterol, or skin sterol, measured
non-invasively by PREVU(x) Point of Care Skin Sterol Test (previously known as
Cholesterol 1,2,3(TM)), has a strong correlation to increased carotid
intima-media thickness (CIMT), a well-established marker of atherosclerosis
(the hardening and narrowing of the arteries).

"This is some of the most exciting data ever collected on skin sterol testing
and early detection of heart disease," said Dr. Brent Norton, President and
Chief Executive Officer, IMI International Medical Innovations Inc. (TSX: IMI;
Amex: IME), developer of the test. "The data strongly support previous findings
that skin sterol correlates with angiographically proven coronary artery
disease."

PREVU(x) POC, marketed and distributed worldwide by McNeil Consumer Healthcare,
Canada, tests the amount of sterol in the skin tissues. The test does not
require the drawing of blood or a special pre-test diet and takes less than
five minutes to perform. PREVU(x) POC is currently being commercialized in the
United States and Canada, where it will be made available as a point of care
test. PREVU(x) POC will also be made available in select European markets.
CIMT, which refers to the thickness of the first two inner layers of the
carotid artery wall, is an independent predictor of myocardial infarction and
stroke.

"More than half of the men and women who die from heart disease, die suddenly
without any prior symptoms," said Dr. James Stein, principal investigator of
the study. "There is considerable interest in non-invasive, simple and rapidly
administered tests to better assess which patients are at risk. This strong
association with increased CIMT suggests that skin sterol testing may help to
identify asymptomatic patients who could benefit from more intensive
interventions."

"This study confirms that skin sterol testing has the ability to help identify
patients at risk of heart disease non-invasively and cost effectively,"
continued Dr. Norton. "PREVU(x) POC could ultimately help to save countless
lives by enabling earlier intervention and prevention of heart attacks before
they happen."

About the Study

The study, conducted at the University of Wisconsin Medical School, included 81
patients without known vascular disease who were referred for determination of
CIMT. Patients underwent B-mode ultrasonography of the carotid arteries and
measurement of skin sterol using PREVU(x) POC. CIMT was significantly higher
among patients in the highest quartile of skin sterol (p (equal sign) 0.017).
Skin sterol was associated with increased CIMT even after adjusting for age,
sex, glucose, systolic blood pressure, total: high-density lipoprotein
cholesterol ratio, and use of lipid-lowering therapy (p (equal sign) 0.031).

The findings of the study, titled Skin Cholesterol Content Identifies
Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Asymptomatic Adults, by Wendy S. Tzou, Maureen
E. Mays, Claudia E. Korcarz, Susan E. Aeschlimann and James H. Stein, will be
published in the American Heart Journal later this year.

About PREVU(x)

PREVU(x) Point of Care Skin Sterol Test, which does not require fasting or the
drawing of blood, tests the amount of sterol, or skin tissue cholesterol.
Clinical studies have shown that as cholesterol accumulates on artery walls it
also accumulates in other tissues, including the skin. High levels of skin
sterol are correlated with higher incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD).
PREVU(x) POC is cleared for sale in Canada, the U.S. and is CE-marked in
Europe, and has recently been commercialized in North America and select
European markets where it will be made available as a point of care test.

About Cardiovascular Disease

According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases (CVD),
which include coronary artery disease, stroke and other diseases, account for
about 17 million deaths per year worldwide. By 2025, CVD is expected to cause
25 million deaths annually. More people worldwide --- approximately 7 million
--- die from coronary artery disease than any other cause.

According to the American Heart Association, in the U.S., about every 26
seconds one American will suffer a coronary event, and about every minute,
someone will die from one.

About McNeil

McNeil Consumer Healthcare manufactures and sells innovative brand name health
care and consumer products in Canada and around the world. McNeil's Canadian
head office is located in Guelph, Ontario.

For North American sales inquiries related to PREVU(x) POC Skin Sterol Test,
please call McNeil's customer service hotline at 1-866-283-8328. For European
sales inquiries, please call 00-800-8283-8328. All e-mail inquiries may be
forwarded to . McNeil is also exhibiting at the American College of Cardiology
annual conference (booth No. 101).

About IMI

IMI is a world leader in predictive medicine, dedicated to developing rapid,
non-invasive tests for the early detection of life-threatening diseases. IMI's
cardiovascular products, which are branded as PREVU(x) Skin Sterol Test, are
marketed and distributed worldwide by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Canada. The
company's cancer tests include ColorectAlert(TM), LungAlert(TM) and a breast
cancer test. IMI's head office is located in Toronto, and its research and
product development facility is at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.
For further information, please visit http://www.imimedical.com/.

Photos of PREVU(x) Point of Care Skin Sterol Test are available at
http://www.newswire.ca/.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements
involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause the
Company's actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking
statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the lack of
operating profit and availability of funds and resources to pursue R&D
projects, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the
successful development or marketing of the Company's products, reliance on
third-party manufacturers, the competitiveness of the Company's products if
successfully commercialized, the ability of the Company to take advantage of
business opportunities, uncertainties related to the regulatory process, and
general changes in economic conditions. In addition, while the Company
routinely obtains patents for its products and technology, the protection
offered by the Company's patents and patent applications may be challenged,
invalidated or circumvented by our competitors and there can be no guarantee of
our ability to obtain or maintain patent protection for our products or product
candidates.

Investors should consult the Company's quarterly and annual filings with the
Canadian and U.S. securities commissions for additional information on risks
and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statements. Investors are
cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. IMI is providing
this information as of the date of this press release and does not undertake
any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press
release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available on the
CNW Photo Network and archived at http://photos.newswire.ca/. Additional
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DATASOURCE: IMI International Medical Innovations Inc.



CONTACT: Company Contact: Sarah Borg-Olivier, Director, Communications,

T: [phone], ; U.S. Investor Contact, Andrea

Faville, The Investor Relations Group, T: [phone],

; McNeil Consumer Healthcare Canada,

Peter Kalra, T: [phone], 

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