NEW YORK, July 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- At a live event today,
ClearLab, a wholly-owned subsidiary of 1-800 CONTACTS, INC. (Nasdaq: CTAC)
unveiled its new AquaSoft Singles, a milestone product that ClearLab
expects will revolutionize single-use contact lens wear through an
innovative flat pack for contact lenses. Representing a significant advance
over conventional contact lens packaging, AquaSoft Singles defines the
category for single-use contact lenses by providing easier lens access,
easier right and left identification, and less storage space. Single use
lenses eliminate the hassle and irritation caused by cleaning chemicals
used in conjunction with reusable lenses.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040107/LACONTACTSLOGO )
"AquaSoft Singles' unique flat design, at one millimeter thick,
represents a significant breakthrough for contact lens wearers," said
Graham Mullis, ClearLab's President and Managing Director. "People can
carry thirty lenses in a small pack the size of an old fashioned contact
lens case that only holds two lenses -- or even slip two spare pairs of
lenses into the credit card slot in their wallet."
ClearLab was recently granted patents in the US and Japan for its
AquaSoft Singles flat pack. ClearLab has numerous patent claims granted or
pending including:
* Compression of a lens in a primary package
* Presentation of the outside surface of the lens upon opening
* Unique right and left primary packaging
* Right and left lenses delivered in the same secondary package
"Without compressing the lens, other packaging will have to be at least
four or five times thicker than our flat packs," said Mr. Mullis. "In
addition to its small size, the benefits provided by our packaging design
positively reinforce single-use, making contact lenses more like a bandage
-- sterile, truly disposable, then thrown away -- never cleaned or reused."
"Once patients become accustomed to having their lenses presented to
them in small flat packs clearly labeled right and left, with the lens easy
to find and ready to pinch off and insert, where they only touch the
outside surface of the lens, we expect they will never want to return to
the old days of lens mix-ups, fishing for lenses in a bowl, checking for
inversion, and cleaning with chemicals," said Mr. Mullis.
Mr. Mullis continued, "We believe 'patient noticeable benefits' like
those provided by AquaSoft Singles will help ClearLab to expand market
share and increase the number of contact lens wearers. Our next task is to
complete the development of this product and bring it to market within two
years."
Jonathan Coon, CEO of ClearLab's parent company, 1-800 CONTACTS, added,
"While 1-800 CONTACTS serves two million U.S. customers, we realize that
there is a much bigger opportunity for ClearLab to offer AquaSoft Singles
to the 95 million contact lens wearers and 2.5 billion visually corrected
people worldwide. 1-800 CONTACTS' ownership of ClearLab could limit
ClearLab's growth potential. For these reasons, we have announced in a
separate release today that we are evaluating a potential separation of
ClearLab from 1-800 CONTACTS."
About ClearLab
ClearLab develops and manufactures a wide range of disposable contact
lens products and distributes these lenses in markets outside of the United
States. More information about ClearLab can be found at its website,
http://www.clearlab.com. More information about AquaSoft Singles, including
hi-resolution photos and video, can be found at http://www.aquasoft.com.
About 1-800 CONTACTS
1-800 CONTACTS offers consumers an attractive alternative for obtaining
replacement contact lenses in terms of convenience, price and speed of
delivery. Through its easy-to-remember, toll-free telephone number, "1-800
CONTACTS" (1-800-266-8228), and its Internet web site,
http://www.1800contacts.com, the Company sells almost all of the popular brands of
contact lenses. 1-800 CONTACTS offers products at competitive prices, while
delivering a high level of customer service.
Forward-looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements about the future
business prospects of ClearLab and 1-800 CONTACTS. These statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those set forth in or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause future results to differ
materially from the current expectations of ClearLab and 1-800 CONTACTS
include, among others: general economic conditions, the health and size of
the contact lens industry, consumer acceptance of ClearLab's products,
product health benefits, manufacturing operations, governmental
regulations, other regulatory considerations, exchange rate fluctuations,
sales and marketing plans, unanticipated costs and expected benefits
associated with license agreements and supply agreements, and research and
development initiatives. Information on the websites of ClearLab and 1-800
CONTACTS, other than the information specifically referenced in this press
release, shall not be deemed to be part of this press release.
SOURCE ClearLab
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Related links:
http://www.1800contacts.com
http://www.aquasoft.com http://www.clearlab.com
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040107/LACONTACTSLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Tim Johnson, tjohnson@stearnsjohnson.com, or
Joshua Steinfeld, jsteinfeld@stearnsjohnson.com, both for
ClearLab, +1-415-397-7600
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