FRANKLIN, Mass., July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sontra Medical Corporation announced today that it has received a U.S. patent describing the technology for transdermal continuous glucose monitoring. This technology details both the method and system to enhance the permeability of skin, ultimately facilitating the continuous detection of a body analyte, such as blood glucose. U.S. Patent No. 7,066,884 entitled, “System, Method, and Device for Non-Invasive Body Fluid Sampling and Analysis” was issued to Sontra on June 27, 2006.
“This patent further strengthens the intellectual property portfolio surrounding Sontra’s non-invasive diagnostics, and is central in transdermal and continuous glucose monitoring technology,” stated Scott Kellogg, Sontra’s Vice President of Research and Development.
Sontra Medical Corporation’s continuous non-invasive glucose monitoring technology has significant implications in the critical care setting, as well as home glucose testing. The continuous non-invasive glucose monitor measures glucose diffusing through ultrasonically permeated skin for twenty- four hours. This patent is a marked advance for Sontra, as it describes the process for non-invasive body fluid sampling and analysis.
About Sontra Medical Corporation (http://www.sontra.com)
Sontra Medical Corporation is a technology leader in transdermal science. Sontra’s SonoPrep ultra-sound mediated skin permeation technology combined with technical competencies in transdermal drug formulation, delivery systems, and biosensors is creating a new paradigm in transdermal drug delivery and diagnosis. The SonoPrep technology is being developed for several billion- dollar market opportunities, including continuous glucose monitoring and the transdermal delivery of large molecule drugs and vaccines. Sontra is currently marketing the SonoPrep device and procedure tray for use with topical lidocaine to achieve rapid (within five minutes) skin anesthesia.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which address a variety of subjects including, for example, the expected technological advances and availability of the second-generation SonoPrep device, the expected benefits and efficacy of the SonoPrep device in connection with diagnostics, vaccine delivery, glucose monitoring and transdermal drug delivery, Sontra’s expected ability to develop, market and sell products based on its technology, including a continuous transdermal glucose monitor for the hospital ICU market; the expected market opportunities, distribution and market acceptance of the SonoPrep device and technology, the expected size of the market for the continuous transdermal glucose monitor for the hospital ICU; and Sontra’s business, research, product development, regulatory approval, marketing and distribution plans and strategies. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The following important factors and uncertainties, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements: our technology is new and we may experience adverse results in research and development efforts, product development, clinical trials, product evaluations, commercialization efforts, product distribution and market acceptance; markets for our products may develop slower than expected, or not at all; our sales cycle is lengthy and we are still developing sales and marketing strategies which may or may not prove effective; the SonoPrep device may not prove effective in connection with diagnostics, vaccine delivery, glucose monitoring and/or transdermal drug delivery; we may experience difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approvals to market products resulting from development efforts or difficulties or delays associated with sources of regulatory-approved transdermal drugs and vaccines; failure to obtain and maintain patent protection for discoveries or commercial limitations imposed by patents owned or controlled by third parties would have an adverse effect on us; we depend upon strategic partners and third-party distributors to develop, commercialize, market and sell products based on our work; and we require substantial additional funding to conduct research and development and to expand commercialization, distribution and marketing activities. For detailed information about factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, please refer to Sontra’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Sontra’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-KSB. Forward-looking statements represent management’s current expectations and are inherently uncertain. We do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements made by us.
SonoPrep is a registered trademark of Sontra Medical Corporation. All other company, product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Investor Relations Contacts: Barry Marston, VP Sales & Marketing 508-530-0332 bmarston@sontra.com Harry G. Mitchell, CFO 508-530-0311 hmitchell@sontra.com
Sontra Medical Corporation
CONTACT: Barry Marston, Investor Relations, VP Sales & Marketing,+1-508-530-0332, bmarston@sontra.com, or Investor Relations, Harry G.Mitchell, CFO, +1-508-530-0311, hmitchell@sontra.com
Web site: http://www.sontra.com//
