ASX RELEASE 26 February 2004
New US Collaboration in Nanotechnology
Global nanotechnology company pSivida Limited (ASX:PSD) is pleased to announce that it?s UK operating subsidiary pSiMedica has signed a Materials Transfer Agreement with Pennsylvania-based NanoHorizons, Inc.
NanoHorizons is an emerging leader in nanoscale material and device technologies. The company has developed a series of nanostructured silicon films that have application in high speed mass spectrometry analysis of small molecules (QuickMass?) as well as mechanically flexible high performance displays, MEMS, sensors and optoelectronics (PostFlex Process). QuickMass?, which reduces time and cost of drug discovery research, is currently marketed through Shimadzu Biotech. Through the micro- and nanofabrication of novel silicon structures, NanoHorizons is also exploring nano-structured materials for applications in healthcare.
pSiMedica together with NanoHorizons will examine opportunities to utilise these films in areas such as tissue engineering and diagnostics. One of NanoHorizon?s unique materials is a nanostructured silicon film which can be produced on a wide variety of substrates such as glass, metals, ceramics or on flexible polymer surfaces. Through the sensor applications of NanoHorizon?s devices, the company has developed respiratory monitors and diagnostics. NanoHorizons adopts a complementary manufacturing method to pSiMedica yielding structures that potentially expand the opportunities of silicon in medicine.
NanoHorizons founding director and Chief Technical Officer, Professor. Stephen Fonash, who also is Director of the Penn State Center for Nanotechnology Education and Utilization, said, ? Working with pSivida will enhance our ability to address the needs of medicine with the opportunities of nanotechnology. psiMedica?s worldwide base and NanoHorizons? broad materials expertise should yield rapid, exciting results.?
pSivida Managing Director, Mr Gavin Rezos added, ?We are pleased to be working with Dr Fonash and his team at NanoHorizons. This program has the potential to provide additional manufacturing and coating solutions to a number of pSivida diagnostic and other development products. This nanotechnology collaboration further demonstrates our expanding US presence.
pSiMedica retains granted patents in relation to ?in? and ?on? the body applications of porous silicon. Nanohorizons has an exclusive license from The Penn State Research Foundation for its intellectual property and will share any new intellectual property directly resulting from this collaborative partnership with pSiMedica.
-ENDS-
Released by: NanoHorizons Contact Josh Mann Robert F. Burlinson Investor Relations President & CEO pSivida Limited Tel. 814 861 9909 Tel: + 61 8 9226 5099 RBurlinson@nanohorizons.com joshuamann@psivida.com.au www.nanohorizons.com
NOTES TO EDITORS:
pSivida Limited
pSivida is an Australian-based biotechnology company committed to the biomedical applications of nano-technology and which has as its core focus the development and commercialisation of nano-structured porous silicon (BioSilicon?) in biocompatible and biodegradable forms for use in human and animal healthcare through its UK subsidiary pSiMedica Limited, and in conjunction with UK Government owned QinetiQ plc. As a true ?platform technology?, BioSilicon? has multiple potential applications across the high growth healthcare sector, including controlled drug delivery, brachytherapy, tissue engineering and orthopaedics.
pSivida is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX Code: PSD). pSivida is also listed in Germany on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on XETRA system, as well as Berlin, Munich and Stuttgart, ( German Symbol: PSI. Securities Code (WKN) 358705). www.pSivida.com.au
pSiMedica Limited (UK)
pSiMedica has identified a biocompatible and biodegradable form of silicon (BioSilicon?). The technology is based on applying a modified form of the silicon chip (porosified or nano structured silicon) in a variety of healthcare applications, ranging from controlled drug delivery, brachytherapy, tissue engineering and orthopaedics to biofiltration and clinical diagnostics.
pSiMedica?s market strength lies in its international management and science team, including former Chairman of SmithKline & French Research, Dr Roger Brimblecombe, former PepTech CEO Dr Roger Aston, and, the world eminent scientist and the inventor of BioSilicon?, Professor Leigh Canham. The Company has access to cutting edge research and development facilities through the UK Government?s Agency QinetiQ (formerly DERA), the largest research and development institution in Europe.
pSiMedica owns the worldwide intellectual property rights to nanostructured porous silicon, known as BioSilicon?, for use in or on humans and animals and is dedicated to realising the potential of porous silicon products in areas such as controlled drug delivery, diagnostics and orthopaedics.
NanoHorizons, Inc. NanoHorizons, Inc. was founded in 2002 with a business focus on nanotechnology applications in the drug discovery, microelectronics and health care industries. The company has licensed a comprehensive portfolio of nanotechnology Intellectual Property from the Pennsylvania State University. The initial product offering, QuickMass? matrix free laser desorption plates, addresses the need for more cost effective pharmaceutical research and increased drug discovery capacity. Additional commercial initiatives are being pursued to meet needs for fast, high-sensitivity respiration monitors as well as humidity and gas sensors. Additionally, a manufacturing process used to place high performance logic, sensors, displays, MEMS and optoelectronics on inexpensive or mechanically flexible substrates offers licensing opportunities. For more information, visit www.nanohorizons.com
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