VNUS to distribute SonoPrep(R) and Topical Lidocaine Procedure Tray for
Minimally Invasive Vascular Procedures
FRANKLIN, Mass. and SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Sontra Medical Corporation (Nasdaq SC: SONT) and VNUS Medical Technologies
(Nasdaq: VNUS) announced today a U.S. distribution agreement for VNUS to
distribute Sontra's SonoPrep ultrasonic skin permeation device and procedure
tray for rapid skin anesthesia prior to vascular procedures to treat varicose
veins and venous reflux disease.
The VNUS(R) Closure(R) System uses radiofrequency energy to treat venous
reflux disease in a minimally invasive procedure as an alternative to surgical
vein stripping. The VNUS procedure can be performed with local anesthesia as
an outpatient procedure, or in the physicians' office. To provide local
anesthesia during the procedure, patients are given lidocaine injections in
the leg. Sontra's SonoPrep device reduces the pain of injections by providing
rapid topical anesthesia to numb the skin.
"The SonoPrep product complements our Closure System for the treatment of
venous reflux disease by further increasing patient comfort during the Closure
procedure," stated Bill Perry, Vice President of Worldwide Marketing of VNUS.
"In the past, the use of topical anesthesia was limited because the
application took as long 60 minutes to become fully effective. Now with use
of the SonoPrep device, the full effect can be achieved in as little as 5
minutes, making the use of topical anesthesia more viable and attractive."
"We are very pleased that VNUS will be distributing our rapid topical
anesthesia system with their Closure products in the growing field of
minimally invasive vascular disease management," stated Barry Marston,
Sontra's Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "VNUS is the market leader
because of their enabling technology represented by the Closure System and a
very effective direct sales organization. The use of Sontra's SonoPrep drug
delivery system for topical anesthesia in minimally invasive vascular
procedures expands our market opportunity beyond the hospital-based IV therapy
market."
About VNUS Medical Technologies (http://www.vnus.com)
VNUS Medical Technologies, founded in 1995, is a world leader in the
development and commercialization of products for minimally invasive treatment
of venous disease. The company currently markets the proprietary Closure
System for patients who suffer from symptoms associated with venous reflux.
The Closure system was cleared for marketing in the U.S. in March 1999. Since
then, over 70,000 patients have received the Closure procedure and numerous
studies have shown the Closure procedure provides substantial benefits to
patients.
About Sontra Medical Corporation (http://www.sontra.com)
Sontra Medical Corporation is a technology leader in transdermal science.
Sontra's SonoPrep ultrasound-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 has demonstrated strong results from its
initial human clinical trials at leading universities and medical centers for
several billion dollar market opportunities including the transdermal delivery
of vaccines and large molecule drugs and continuous non-invasive glucose
monitoring. Sontra is currently marketing the SonoPrep device and procedure
tray for use with topical lidocaine to achieve rapid (within five minutes)
skin anesthesia.
Sontra Contacts:
Sean Moran, Sontra Medical CFO
508-553-8850 ext 234, or
Evan Smith, CFA / Erica Pettit, Financial Dynamics
212-850-5606 / 212-850-5614
VNUS Contact:
Bill Perry
Vice President, Worldwide Marketing
Phone: 888-797-8346
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.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which address a
variety of subjects including, for example, the expected efficacy of the
SonoPrep device in connection with the VNUS vascular procedures and with
diagnostics, vaccine delivery, glucose monitoring and transdermal drug
delivery, the expected benefits, market opportunities and market acceptance of
the SonoPrep device and technology, the expected size of the markets for the
SonoPrep device and technology, Sontra's expected ability to commercialize
additional products, and Sontra's business, research and marketing strategies
and product development plans. 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: adverse results in product development, clinical
trials, commercialization efforts and market acceptance; difficulties or
delays in obtaining regulatory approvals to market products resulting from
development efforts; difficulties or delays associated with sources of
transdermal drugs and vaccines; failure to obtain and maintain patent
protection for discoveries; commercial limitations imposed by patents owned or
controlled by third parties; dependence upon strategic partners and third-
party distributors to develop, commercialize, market and sell products based
on our work; the commercial success of products; and the requirement for
substantial funding to conduct research and development and to expand
commercialization 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
Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB. 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.
SOURCE Sontra Medical Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.sontra.com
CONTACT:
Sean Moran, Sontra Medical CFO,
+1-508-553-8850 ext 234; or Evan Smith, CFA, +1-212-850-5606, or
Erica Pettit, +1-212-850-5614 both of Financial Dynamics; or Bill
Perry, Vice President, Worldwide Marketing of VNUS,
+1-888-797-8346
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