The First Volunteer of a Planned 20 Patient Cohort Injected
PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ --
Bioject Medical Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: BJCT), a leading developer of
needle-free drug delivery systems, today announced that the "Biojector(R)
2000" (B-2000) is the delivery device being used by the Dale and Betty Bumpers
Vaccine Research Center (VRC) for the human clinical testing of its first AIDS
vaccine. The VRC is part of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Diseases (NIAID), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The B-2000 is the only needle-free device cleared by the FDA to give
intramuscular injections. Participants will be given three 1 mL intramuscular
injections in the upper-arm with the B-2000 system over the length of the
study.
The VRC is described as a cross between a biotechnology company and an
academic organization. It is the first facility at the NIH dedicated solely
to vaccine research and production. The AIDS vaccine under testing was
produced only one year after the newly constructed center opened.
"We are pleased to have been chosen by the NIH for delivery of its first
AIDS vaccine and that we have progressed from various pre-clinical studies to
reach this human clinical testing phase," said Jim O'Shea, Chairman, President
and CEO of Bioject. "We have been working closely with the NIH since 1998,
and we look forward to our other ongoing collaborations reaching the human
clinical phase."
"In addition, Bioject was notified by the US Patent and Trademark Office
that its patent for the 'Intradermal Injection System for Injecting DNA-based
Injectables into Humans,' has been allowed," commented Mr. O'Shea. "This
application has been used in several DNA vaccine studies and has been shown to
increase the efficacy of some vaccines."
About the Biojector 2000
The Biojector(R) 2000 is a needle-free injection system that has been used
to deliver injections in a wide range of healthcare settings. The Biojector
has many unique features, including the ability to deliver both intramuscular
and subcutaneous injections up to 1 mL in volume. Since its introduction in
1993, the Biojector has set a new standard for the comfort, safety, and
convenience of injection equipment.
The Biojector has FDA clearance for delivering subcutaneous or
intramuscular injections of liquid medication, including vaccines and other
injected medications. Because there is no needle, the Biojector provides
healthcare workers with an unparalleled level of protection against accidental
needlestick injuries. In high-risk situations, such as delivering injections
to patients known to be infected with HIV or Hepatitis, the Biojector is an
ideal injection system.
About Bioject
Bioject Medical Technologies Inc., based in Portland Oregon, is an
innovative developer and manufacturer of needle-free drug delivery systems.
Needle-free injection works by forcing medication at high speed through a tiny
orifice held against the skin. This creates a fine stream of high-pressure
fluid penetrating the skin and depositing medication in the tissue beneath.
The company is focused on developing mutually beneficial agreements with
leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Bioject's partners now
include Amgen and Serono.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements
concerning future research collaborations with the NIH and other research
collaborators. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results,
performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from any
future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors
include, without limitation, the risk that the current research collaboration
with the NIH will not develop into a long-term, revenue producing relationship
and uncertainties related to Bioject's dependence on the continued performance
of strategic partners and technology, product development, and regulatory
risks involved in developing marketable products. Such forward looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the
company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future
results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward
looking statements. Readers of this press release are referred to the
company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the
company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q for further discussions of
factors which could affect future results. Forward-looking statements are
based on the estimates and opinions of management on the date the statements
are made. The company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking
statements if conditions or management's estimates or opinions should change.
More information can be found at Bioject's home page at:
http://www.bioject.com .
SOURCE Bioject Medical Technologies, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.bioject.com
CONTACT:
Jim O'Shea, Chairman, President & CEO of
Bioject Medical Technologies, Inc., +1-503-639-7221; or Jim
Flanagan of IR Strategic Advisors, +1-781-863-1333, or
jflanagan@iradvisors.com, for Bioject Medical Technologies, Inc.
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