A Medical Device Daily

GeneLink (Jersey City, New Jersey) reported that the Australian patent office issued it a patent for its oxidative stress test, titled “Kits and methods for assessing oxidative stress,“ the second patent it has received for a family of applications filed by GeneLink in the U.S. and abroad.

GeneLink's DNA test for oxidative stress is used to predict an individual's risk for a variety of age-associated conditions. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an accumulation of destructive molecules called free radicals that damage the integrity of the cells by destroying proteins and DNA. The oxidative stress theory suggests that degenerative diseases associated with aging may be attributed to the effects of these free radicals on the body's cells.

“GeneLink believes that grant of this Australian patent further confirms GeneLink's confidence in the commercial potential of its technology,“ said Monte Taylor, Jr., acting CEO of GeneLink. “In addition to the Oxidative Stress Test, GeneLink has expanded its genetic test offerings to include: Dermagenetics, a skin health panel; Comprehensive Cardio Panel; Lipid Metabolism Panel; Bone Density Panel; and CoQ10 Efficiency.“

Based on the analysis of key genes, GeneLink's tests provide information that enables customization of nutritional and skin-care products, as well as development of health maintenance care regimens personalized to meet a person's individual needs.

GeneLink offers genetic tests to companies that distribute to the $100 Billion plus health care, nutritional supplement and skin-care industries. Through Its subsidiary, Dermagenetics, it markets its DNA UltraCustom system of “genetically guided“ skin-care products to the spa and medi-spa industries.

Minrad unveils new international pacts

Minrad International (Buffalo, New York), a developer of interventional pain management systems, reported six new international contracts, four for inhalation anesthetics and two for its real-time, image-guided medical devices. The company said that the contracts are expected to produce a minimum of more than $7 million in sales by 2008.

In the company's anesthesia and analgesia product line, it reported new agreements in Pakistan, Peru, South Africa and with an industrial customer requiring annual minimum purchases to remain exclusive of $5.3 million by 2008 and increase the number of company's anesthesia and analgesia agreements to 37 contracts. Anticipated totals under these agreements now represent $114 million during 2008.

Minrad also reported its first international image guidance contracts in Taiwan and in China, totaling $2.1 million by 2008.

Minrad will be initiating acceptance processes in key international markets in the first and second quarter of 2006.

The company anticipates that it will begin signing international partnering agreements for its image guided line as it goes forward and will announce these quarterly, similar to what it has done in the anesthesia and analgesia product line.

Minrad is focused on developing systems for interventional pain management. Key product lines include real time image-guidance, anesthesia pharmaceuticals and a program to develop a conscious sedation drug/drug delivery system.

BSD and Japan pact with Ktec

BSD Medical (Salt Lake City) reported entering into a distribution agreement with Ktec to sell BSD's cancer treatment systems in Japan.

BSD said that the agreement concludes a search and negotiation process as part of its global strategy to establish a chain of distributors in the Pacific Rim as a key segment of its world market.

Ktech imports and distributes high-tech medical equipment in Japan, with a focus on the introducing state-of-the-art medical technology, its services including sales and marketing, sales engineering support, field service and product support.

Hyrum Mead, president and CEO of BSD Medical, said, “We believe that Ktech is highly qualified to sell and support our cancer therapy systems in Japan and are very enthusiastic about our new relationship.“

BSD has already established a distributor in China, and obtained regulatory approval for the sale of the BSD-2000 in China. BSD says that its objective is to pursue a similar marketing path in Japan.

BSD Medical produces systems that deliver precision focused radio frequency/microwave energy to treat cancer, killing cancer directly and boosting the effectiveness of companion radiation and/or chemotherapy treatments.

GMN in Far East eHealth pact

Global Medical Networks International (GMN; Baltimore), developers of technology enabling the building of eHealth Networks (LifeOnKey), reports that together with a Singapore company that supplies technology and equipment for medical institutions, it has won a pilot project to create an eHealth network for millions of citizens in the Far East.

It describes the project as including individual emergency information and medical history for availability anywhere at any time. The project, funded by the government and executed by a local insurance company, will span five years in the amount of at least $2.5 million annually.

Dr. Linda Harnevo, owner and CEO of GMN, commented: “The local multi-million communities are developing extremely fast. There is no question that the business opportunity is huge. The subject pilot project is expected to be completed within six months, and with the successful completion we shall gradually begin with full integration involving millions of citizens.“

She added: “The Singaporean company, specializing in the development of computerized systems in hospitals and the building of medical networks, chose to base its offer on Global Medical Networks' technology in the view of the fact that GMN has developed a technology that allows the integration of medical information form different sources, displaying them in secure patient information network available from anywhere at any time in a number of different formats.“

GMN reports involvement in a similar project with a number of hospitals and clinics on the East Coast of the U.S. and in a pan-European project involving 21 hospitals.