Imi Medical Innovations (AMEX:IME)
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IMI comments on market activity and Prevu(x) progress
TORONTO, June 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In response to recent trading
activity in the company's stock, IMI International Medical Innovations Inc.
(TSX: IMI; Amex: IME) today stated that there has been no material change in
the company's business or strategic direction, and that management's outlook
for the remainder of 2005 remains positive.
The company also provided a clinical and marketing update on PREVU(x) Skin
Sterol Test, the company's non-invasive cardiovascular risk assessment
technology, which is marketed worldwide by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Canada.
Clinical Program
Participants are now being enrolled in the PREPARE (PREVU(x) Predicts
Atherosclerosis Risk and Events) study. PREPARE is a 25,000-participant
clinical trial in the life insurance testing industry using PREVU(x) LT Skin
Sterol Test, the lab-processed format of IMI's skin sterol technology. This
study, designed to confirm the viability of PREVU(x) LT in the insurance
testing market, is being conducted with the participation of selected U.S. life
insurers and other industry partners. In 2003, approximately 13.5 million
individual life insurance policies were purchased in the United States, a
significant number of which do not include a cardiovascular disease assessment.
PREVU(x) LT could be a cost effective tool for insurance companies to better
manage this risk.
"With this study, we will gain valuable new data --- with interim results
expected this fall --- that will help to create additional revenue
opportunities and position IMI to receive a milestone payment, possibly later
this year," said Dr. Brent Norton, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our
technology is already attracting attention in the industry, with a recent
article published in On the Risk, the journal of The Academy of Life
Underwriting, highlighting the merits of skin sterol testing in the life
underwriting process."
Marketing Update
A number of training initiatives for operators are now underway to support
planned programs in Europe and Canada with PREVU(x) Point of Care (POC) Skin
Sterol Test, the lead product in the PREVU(x) family. These programs are aimed
primarily at screening clinics where cardiovascular risk assessment is
conducted. PREVU(x) POC was recently made available for sale to medical
professionals in Canada, the U.S. and Europe.
Dr. Norton continued, "Over the next few months, McNeil will continue to invest
in building the PREVU(x) brand. With supportive clinical data from the
insurance study, they expect to be in a position to launch PREVU(x) LT later
this year. This will fulfill a central element of the strategy to have multiple
products available in different market segments at the same time --- while
positioning IMI to receive other milestone payments from McNeil. Simply, IMI's
business objectives and strategic direction remain unchanged. Our outlook for
the remainder of the year is positive, with the expectation that sales of
PREVU(x) will build through late 2005 and 2006."
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/. For more
information about PREVU(x), please visit http://www.prevu.com/.
Corporate Name Change
In September 2005, IMI will change its corporate name to PreMD Inc. to better
reflect the company's leading position in the predictive medicine field. The
new website will be http://www.premdinc.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
successful development or marketing of the Company's products, the
competitiveness of the Company's products if successfully commercialized, the
lack of operating profit and availability of funds and resources to pursue R&D
projects, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, product
liability, reliance on third-party manufacturers, the ability of the Company to
take advantage of business opportunities, uncertainties related to the
regulatory process, the inability of the Company to change its name to PreMD
Inc. in the time projected due to any reason, 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 Contact: Sarah Borg-Olivier, Director, Communications,
T: (416) 222-3449, ; U.S. Investor Contact: Andrea
Faville, John Nesbett, The Investor Relations Group, T: (212) 825-3210,
,