IMI provides update on patents

IMI provides update on patents 


TORONTO, Feb. 24  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- IMI International Medical
Innovations Inc. (TSX: IMI; Amex: IME) has received notice from the United
States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) regarding IMI's petition to accept
unavoidably delayed payments of maintenance fees for two U.S. patents related
to IMI's skin tissue cholesterol technology. As previously announced on August
3, 2004, these patents had been listed as abandoned by the USPTO for failure to
pay maintenance fees. The failure to pay these maintenance fees appears to have
occurred while the files were being transferred between U.S. and Canadian
patent agents.

The USPTO identifies specific items that IMI should address and provides a
two-month period during which IMI may submit a request for consideration. Until
that petition is granted by the USPTO, IMI's patent petitions will be listed as
dismissed.

Specifically, the USPTO has asked for more information regarding the
credentials and procedures of IMI's patent agents and their performance of
clerical functions related to the payment of the maintenance fees. "We believe
that the USPTO's items can be addressed and we will be filing our response
within the required timeframe," said Dr. Brent Norton, President and Chief
Executive Officer.

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/.

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. 

DATASOURCE: IMI International Medical Innovations Inc.



CONTACT: Company Contacts: Sarah Borg-Olivier, Director,

Communications, T:  [phone], ; U.S. Investor

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

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