A special heating bloc can reduce the handling time and costs of testing foods for pathogens, claims its France-based manufacturer.
BioMérieux claims its Vidas Heat and Go "significantly reduces technician handling time as well as material cost, while standardising a previously cumbersome step in pathogen detection".
The block is used on samples undergoing pathogen testing in bioMérieux's automated Vidas and mini Vidas systems.
"There is a clear need for improved productivity and traceability for microbiological control testing in the food industry and developing innovative solutions to address these needs is at the core of our strategy," stated Alexandre Mérieux, the company's corporate vice president for industrial microbiology.
Previously technicians used a boiling water bath asa typical protocol for heating food samples. Lab workers would manually label tubes and transfer samples in and out of the tubes and in and out of the boiling water bath.
"The Vidas Heat and Go dry heating block streamlines this process by eliminating the manual steps of labeling and transferring the sample tubes," the company claimed. "The use of a dry heating block offers food laboratories increased safety in pathogen detection."
The system also increases the traceability of sample results, eliminating the risk of mislabeling sample tubes. Additionally, the dry heating block ensures the appropriate temperature is maintained throughout the heating process, the company stated.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
New Point-Of-Care Technology For Detecting Bloodstream Infections Unveiled
Researchers at the UC Davis Health System and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) have entered into a collaborative effort to develop two ‘Point-Of-Care’ (POC) prototype instruments for the detection of pathogens causing bloodstream infections, one in hospital settings and the other, a field portable device, for disaster management camps. The team, led by Gerald Kost, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Director of the Point-of-Care Testing Center for Teaching and Research (POCT-CTR), will develop these novel devices using the elementary technologies of other LLNL-developed instruments, such as the Autonomous Pathogen Detection System, designed for protection against bioterrorism. The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) has already granted a fund of around $8.5 million for the development of these devices.
DNA chip can catch eye disease pathogens
Hyderabad, Dec. 22An indigenously-developed DNA Chip which can pinpoint the culprit organism that is causing a particular eye disease in the shortest possible time has hit the commercial market.
Bangalore-based XCyton Diagnostics has launched the DNA macro chip, a molecular diagnostic kit, for identifying a range of pathogens causing eye diseases in the country recently.
The Managing Director of XCyton, Dr B.V. Ravi Kumar, said the company has created a Rs 3-crore facility in Bangalore to develop a range of DNA-based diagnostic products using this new platform. Work is on to develop a Deoxyribonucleac Acid (DNA)-based kit to detect Septecemia and a range of fevers like dengue, chikungunya, and typhoid, wherein early detection of the virus was key to managing the disease.
Awareness programme
XCyton, a product development company in human diagnostics, which has brought several diagnostic products for HIV, and Hepatitis C among others, has launched an awareness programme for doctors and clinicians on the new product. It is offering services to laboratories as well, Dr Ravi told Business Line.
Scientists from the Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB) along with clinicians at the L V Prasad Eye Institute, both in Hyderabad; from Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, and the RP Centre, New Delhi, have under the New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI) programme of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), developed the DNA based diagnostic chip.
According to Dr Ch Mohan Rao, Deputy Director of CCMB, eye infections are the major causes of eye diseases and subsequent impairment of vision. Most of these diseases are curable, provided the infecting agent is identified at an early stage.
Common method
At present, the widely used method for detecting the infecting organisms is microbial culture. However, this process is time-consuming and the results are not immediately available to clinicians for making treatment decisions, he said.
Scientists have exploited the fact that by deploying the PCR method it is possible to detect the unique regions on a pathogen’s DNA, which can then be used as a signature. PCR methods are more sensitive and rapid.
M. Somasekhar
Bangalore-based XCyton Diagnostics has launched the DNA macro chip, a molecular diagnostic kit, for identifying a range of pathogens causing eye diseases in the country recently.
The Managing Director of XCyton, Dr B.V. Ravi Kumar, said the company has created a Rs 3-crore facility in Bangalore to develop a range of DNA-based diagnostic products using this new platform. Work is on to develop a Deoxyribonucleac Acid (DNA)-based kit to detect Septecemia and a range of fevers like dengue, chikungunya, and typhoid, wherein early detection of the virus was key to managing the disease.
Awareness programme
XCyton, a product development company in human diagnostics, which has brought several diagnostic products for HIV, and Hepatitis C among others, has launched an awareness programme for doctors and clinicians on the new product. It is offering services to laboratories as well, Dr Ravi told Business Line.
Scientists from the Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB) along with clinicians at the L V Prasad Eye Institute, both in Hyderabad; from Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, and the RP Centre, New Delhi, have under the New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI) programme of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), developed the DNA based diagnostic chip.
According to Dr Ch Mohan Rao, Deputy Director of CCMB, eye infections are the major causes of eye diseases and subsequent impairment of vision. Most of these diseases are curable, provided the infecting agent is identified at an early stage.
Common method
At present, the widely used method for detecting the infecting organisms is microbial culture. However, this process is time-consuming and the results are not immediately available to clinicians for making treatment decisions, he said.
Scientists have exploited the fact that by deploying the PCR method it is possible to detect the unique regions on a pathogen’s DNA, which can then be used as a signature. PCR methods are more sensitive and rapid.
M. Somasekhar
Friday, December 28, 2007
New Ice Scoop Ensures Safe Handling, Food Safety at Restaurants and Bars
Press Release
The new San Jamar Saf-T-Scoop™ & Guardian System ensures safe ice handling at restaurants and bars. Food safety in the food service industry is a legitimate concern, as a recent study found more than one out of every five samples of ice contains high levels of bacteria.
Elkhorn, Wisc. (PRWEB) December 12, 2007 -- How safe is the ice served at restaurants and bars? According to a recent study, not very. San Jamar, a leading international supplier of food safety tools and food-service dispensers, has introduced the first ice safety scoop and protection system that keeps ice safe at every point between the ice machine and serving ice to patrons.
A recent study conducted by the Chicago Sun-Times found more than one out of every five samples of ice cubes contained high levels of bacteria at 49 fast-food and casual dining restaurants and hotel bars in the Chicago-area.
San Jamar's safe ice handling tools work together to protect against the dangerous cross-contamination that can occur while carrying ice from the ice machine to the glasses served to patrons.
"Ice is now considered a food item," says Jayson Pearl, Director of Marketing --Foodservice at San Jamar. "Restaurant and bar owners need to think about every point during ice transport when ice can become contaminated. The recent study found fecal bacteria in the ice that was linked to contamination from unclean hands. Processes and tools that help improve effective hand washing and prevent dangerous hand contamination with ice can truly make a difference in preventing this type of food safety risk for customers."
San Jamar has a family of safe ice handling tools (http://301url.com/fka) that work together to protect against dangerous cross-contamination. The Saf-T-Scoop™ is a unique scoop with a "germ guard" that keeps hands from coming into any contact with ice. The Guardian System™ is a container for the ice scoop that is conveniently stored next to the ice machine. The Saf-T-Ice® Tote, which comes in two sizes, is designed for easy handling and keeping hands from touching any unsanitary surface when transporting the ice container. The Saf-T-Ice® Bottle Guardian helps bartenders keep wine bottles on ice without actually touching the ice.
According to Pearl, owners of restaurants and bars should look for the following features when selecting ice-handling tools:
* Ice scoops with integrated hand guards that prevent hands from coming in contact with ice --
at the ice machine and at the bar/beverage ice bins.
* Ice totes that have grab points to keep hands from touching contaminated areas.
* Ice handling tools that are dishwasher safe and are small enough to fit in the dishwasher.
* Ice scoops and totes constructed with a durable, polycarbonate, as opposed to metal. Metal
scoops are harder to clean and can harbor dangerous bacteria.
* An ice scoop with a narrow chute to direct ice into the tote and avoid excessive spillage.
"An effective hand washing program is also critical to preventing ice contamination from unclean hands," adds Pearl. San Jamar has recently introduced a full line of Universal touchless towel dispensers that eliminate hand contamination after the handwashing process.
Another recent hand washing innovation is the Kleen-Brush™ System, which keeps the fingernail brush sanitary and makes it easier for food-service workers to clean the areas of the hand that are the hardest to clean and harbor the most bacteria -- fingertips and fingernails.
San Jamar has two online resource centers dedicated to safe ice handling and effective
handwashing with useful information, products and solutions to help prevent the risk of cross-contamination, improve productivity and project a clean, safe food image. Visit www.sanjamar.com/safeice, www.sanjamar.com/cleanhands and www.sanjamar.com/touchlessuniversal.
For more information on San Jamar's food safety tools and food service dispensers for restaurants and bars, visit www.sanjamar.com.
ABOUT SAN jAMAR
San Jamar is the leading international supplier of food safety tools, food-service dispensers and washroom dispensers. The company markets a wide range of quality products for global Foodservice and Jan San markets. San Jamar's mission is to consistently offer smart solutions for food safety, hospitality and sanitary washroom environments. The company is headquartered in Elkhorn, Wis., with a European division in Belgium (San Jamar Europe), and a division in Mexico (San Jamar Mexico). For more information, please call 1-800-248-9826 or e-mail inquiries to sanjamar @ sanjamar.com.
# # #
The new San Jamar Saf-T-Scoop™ & Guardian System ensures safe ice handling at restaurants and bars. Food safety in the food service industry is a legitimate concern, as a recent study found more than one out of every five samples of ice contains high levels of bacteria.
Elkhorn, Wisc. (PRWEB) December 12, 2007 -- How safe is the ice served at restaurants and bars? According to a recent study, not very. San Jamar, a leading international supplier of food safety tools and food-service dispensers, has introduced the first ice safety scoop and protection system that keeps ice safe at every point between the ice machine and serving ice to patrons.
A recent study conducted by the Chicago Sun-Times found more than one out of every five samples of ice cubes contained high levels of bacteria at 49 fast-food and casual dining restaurants and hotel bars in the Chicago-area.
San Jamar's safe ice handling tools work together to protect against the dangerous cross-contamination that can occur while carrying ice from the ice machine to the glasses served to patrons.
"Ice is now considered a food item," says Jayson Pearl, Director of Marketing --Foodservice at San Jamar. "Restaurant and bar owners need to think about every point during ice transport when ice can become contaminated. The recent study found fecal bacteria in the ice that was linked to contamination from unclean hands. Processes and tools that help improve effective hand washing and prevent dangerous hand contamination with ice can truly make a difference in preventing this type of food safety risk for customers."
San Jamar has a family of safe ice handling tools (http://301url.com/fka) that work together to protect against dangerous cross-contamination. The Saf-T-Scoop™ is a unique scoop with a "germ guard" that keeps hands from coming into any contact with ice. The Guardian System™ is a container for the ice scoop that is conveniently stored next to the ice machine. The Saf-T-Ice® Tote, which comes in two sizes, is designed for easy handling and keeping hands from touching any unsanitary surface when transporting the ice container. The Saf-T-Ice® Bottle Guardian helps bartenders keep wine bottles on ice without actually touching the ice.
According to Pearl, owners of restaurants and bars should look for the following features when selecting ice-handling tools:
* Ice scoops with integrated hand guards that prevent hands from coming in contact with ice --
at the ice machine and at the bar/beverage ice bins.
* Ice totes that have grab points to keep hands from touching contaminated areas.
* Ice handling tools that are dishwasher safe and are small enough to fit in the dishwasher.
* Ice scoops and totes constructed with a durable, polycarbonate, as opposed to metal. Metal
scoops are harder to clean and can harbor dangerous bacteria.
* An ice scoop with a narrow chute to direct ice into the tote and avoid excessive spillage.
"An effective hand washing program is also critical to preventing ice contamination from unclean hands," adds Pearl. San Jamar has recently introduced a full line of Universal touchless towel dispensers that eliminate hand contamination after the handwashing process.
Another recent hand washing innovation is the Kleen-Brush™ System, which keeps the fingernail brush sanitary and makes it easier for food-service workers to clean the areas of the hand that are the hardest to clean and harbor the most bacteria -- fingertips and fingernails.
San Jamar has two online resource centers dedicated to safe ice handling and effective
handwashing with useful information, products and solutions to help prevent the risk of cross-contamination, improve productivity and project a clean, safe food image. Visit www.sanjamar.com/safeice, www.sanjamar.com/cleanhands and www.sanjamar.com/touchlessuniversal.
For more information on San Jamar's food safety tools and food service dispensers for restaurants and bars, visit www.sanjamar.com.
ABOUT SAN jAMAR
San Jamar is the leading international supplier of food safety tools, food-service dispensers and washroom dispensers. The company markets a wide range of quality products for global Foodservice and Jan San markets. San Jamar's mission is to consistently offer smart solutions for food safety, hospitality and sanitary washroom environments. The company is headquartered in Elkhorn, Wis., with a European division in Belgium (San Jamar Europe), and a division in Mexico (San Jamar Mexico). For more information, please call 1-800-248-9826 or e-mail inquiries to sanjamar @ sanjamar.com.
# # #
SkyHydrant Water Filtration Equals Safe Water to Areas in Need
Siemens provides membrane technology for 300 SkyHydrant water filtration system installations worldwide to areas in need of safe drinking water.
Low maintenance, simple operation and high efficiency SkyHydrant water filtration units convert contaminated water into clean, potable water that exceeds the World Health Organization’s (WHO) requirements for potable water. Siemens Water Technologies is working with the SkyJuice Foundation of Sydney, Australia, a not for profit charitable organization, to provide a reliable source of clean drinking water to communities without a safe water supply. Siemens supplies low-pressure membrane technology for the SkyJuice Foundation’s SkyHydrant water filtration unit. So far, over 300 systems have been installed worldwide, including a recent installation in the rural village of Obambo-Kadenge in Kenya, Africa, also a target under the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals.
SkyJuice is a global assistance partner providing access to reliable and safe drinking water to meet the real needs of developing nations and in disaster relief applications.
Siemens Water Technologies delivers cost effective, reliable water and wastewater treatment systems and services worldwide.
This Kenyan child is happy to now have clean water all the time. The SkyHydrant solution guarantees a permanent water supply at minimal costs. Click Here for High resolution image. photo: Siemens
The World Health Organization estimates that about 1.2 billion people worldwide lack access to clean drinking water. Two million people a year, many of them children and the elderly, die from preventable waterborne diseases.
Designed for affordable community water supply and disaster relief applications, the SkyHydrant unit is compact and portable with a robust design. The technology is based on chlorine disinfection combined with a self-contained Memcor low-pressure membrane filtration system from Siemens that operates under minimal feed pressure without the need for power and conditioning chemicals. The SkyHydrant removes particulates, bacteria, protozoa and other pathogenic material greater than 0.1 micron, and produces a minimum of 10,000 litres per day of potable water. The self-cleaning unit can be easily transported, installed and operated with minimal training and operator interface. The treated water should be chlorinated to ensure protection against post-treatment contamination. SkyHydrants have been commissioned in 16 countries over four continents, such as in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Indonesia. Besides the Kenya installation, other SkyHydrant units recently installed in 2007 include: Yogyakarta and Jakarta, Indonesia; the San Jose de Los Molinos District in Peru; and Nagigi Village in Savusavu, Fiji.
“The SkyHydrant unit, incorporating the robust Memcor membrane technology, is a sustainable solution for supplying clean water to communities in the developing world,” says Rhett Butler, Business Development Manager for the Memcor product line at Siemens Water Technologies in Australia, and chairman of the SkyJuice Foundation. “The technology is affordable for even the poorest communities, but even more important, it is helping to save lives.” As an example, a safe water kiosk containing four SkyHydrant units was installed in March 2007 in the rural village of Obambo-Kadenge in Kenya. Before the kiosk was installed, the village of several thousand residents relied mostly on runoff water collected in the shallow Gona Dam. This highly turbid water was contaminated by human activity and livestock waste. With no running water or power and virtually no sanitation, outbreaks of water-borne diseases like cholera, typhoid and dysentery were common.
The kiosk contains the SkyHydrant units, a pump powered by a small windmill, a header tank, a clean water storage tank and a tap stand. The kiosk is supplying approximately 2,200 litres per hour of potable water for less than 0.2 Euro per person per year. The water turbidity is reduced from 400 NTU to less than 0.1 NTU, and the community is already benefiting from the kiosk in improved health and prosperity. “Our successful projects illustrate how SkyJuice and Siemens Water Technologies, working with other community organizations, are helping to improve the health and well-being of communities throughout the world,” said Butler.
Low maintenance, simple operation and high efficiency SkyHydrant water filtration units convert contaminated water into clean, potable water that exceeds the World Health Organization’s (WHO) requirements for potable water. Siemens Water Technologies is working with the SkyJuice Foundation of Sydney, Australia, a not for profit charitable organization, to provide a reliable source of clean drinking water to communities without a safe water supply. Siemens supplies low-pressure membrane technology for the SkyJuice Foundation’s SkyHydrant water filtration unit. So far, over 300 systems have been installed worldwide, including a recent installation in the rural village of Obambo-Kadenge in Kenya, Africa, also a target under the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals.
SkyJuice is a global assistance partner providing access to reliable and safe drinking water to meet the real needs of developing nations and in disaster relief applications.
Siemens Water Technologies delivers cost effective, reliable water and wastewater treatment systems and services worldwide.
This Kenyan child is happy to now have clean water all the time. The SkyHydrant solution guarantees a permanent water supply at minimal costs. Click Here for High resolution image. photo: Siemens
The World Health Organization estimates that about 1.2 billion people worldwide lack access to clean drinking water. Two million people a year, many of them children and the elderly, die from preventable waterborne diseases.
Designed for affordable community water supply and disaster relief applications, the SkyHydrant unit is compact and portable with a robust design. The technology is based on chlorine disinfection combined with a self-contained Memcor low-pressure membrane filtration system from Siemens that operates under minimal feed pressure without the need for power and conditioning chemicals. The SkyHydrant removes particulates, bacteria, protozoa and other pathogenic material greater than 0.1 micron, and produces a minimum of 10,000 litres per day of potable water. The self-cleaning unit can be easily transported, installed and operated with minimal training and operator interface. The treated water should be chlorinated to ensure protection against post-treatment contamination. SkyHydrants have been commissioned in 16 countries over four continents, such as in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Indonesia. Besides the Kenya installation, other SkyHydrant units recently installed in 2007 include: Yogyakarta and Jakarta, Indonesia; the San Jose de Los Molinos District in Peru; and Nagigi Village in Savusavu, Fiji.
“The SkyHydrant unit, incorporating the robust Memcor membrane technology, is a sustainable solution for supplying clean water to communities in the developing world,” says Rhett Butler, Business Development Manager for the Memcor product line at Siemens Water Technologies in Australia, and chairman of the SkyJuice Foundation. “The technology is affordable for even the poorest communities, but even more important, it is helping to save lives.” As an example, a safe water kiosk containing four SkyHydrant units was installed in March 2007 in the rural village of Obambo-Kadenge in Kenya. Before the kiosk was installed, the village of several thousand residents relied mostly on runoff water collected in the shallow Gona Dam. This highly turbid water was contaminated by human activity and livestock waste. With no running water or power and virtually no sanitation, outbreaks of water-borne diseases like cholera, typhoid and dysentery were common.
The kiosk contains the SkyHydrant units, a pump powered by a small windmill, a header tank, a clean water storage tank and a tap stand. The kiosk is supplying approximately 2,200 litres per hour of potable water for less than 0.2 Euro per person per year. The water turbidity is reduced from 400 NTU to less than 0.1 NTU, and the community is already benefiting from the kiosk in improved health and prosperity. “Our successful projects illustrate how SkyJuice and Siemens Water Technologies, working with other community organizations, are helping to improve the health and well-being of communities throughout the world,” said Butler.
Nutra Pharma Expands Licensing Agreement to Include Environmental Testing for Nontuberculous Mycobacterium
PRESS RELEASE
BOCA RATON, Fla., Dec 27, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Nutra Pharma Corp. (OTCBB:NPHC), a biotechnology company that is developing drugs for HIV and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), has today announced that it has expanded its licensing agreement with NanoLogix, Inc., (Pink Sheets: NNLX) to include intellectual property for the use of testing the environment for NonTuberculous Mycobacterium (NTM).
"NTM infections are becoming a major concern for hospitals and medical clinics around the world," explained Rik J. Deitsch, Chairman and CEO of Nutra Pharma Corporation. "Combining our newly licensed intellectual property with our current test kit technology will allow our subsidiary, Designer Diagnostics, to attempt to successfully launch a cost-effective solution to help identify the environmental sources of NTM infections," he added.
NonTuberculous Mycobacterium, also known as atypical Tuberculosis (Atypical TB) or Mycobacterium other than Tuberculosis (MOTT), is a bacteria that is found in water, including hot tubs and showers, some domestic and wild animals, and soil. One of the most common forms of NTM infections found in humans is Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). This is a primary cause of respiratory disease in humans and is a leading cause of death in HIV/AIDS patients.
"Expanding this licensing agreement to include environmental testing is a natural progression of our relationship with Nutra Pharma and our belief in its ability to successfully bring these kits to market," commented Bret Barnhizer, President and CEO of NanoLogix, Inc. "In addition to helping detect NTM in patients, Nutra Pharma will now be able to test for NTM in the environment to help prevent others from becoming infected," he concluded.
Nutra Pharma's wholly-owned medical devices subsidiary, Designer Diagnostics, is currently planning to undergo third party validation for its NTM diagnostic test kits at leading Tuberculosis research institute, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, in Denver, Colorado. The Company plans to apply for FDA approval upon successful completion of this clinical trial.
Recently, distinguished NTM research scientist, Dr. Rahul Narang, used the Designer Diagnostics test kits to test soil and water samples collected from the environment of patients with NTM infections. This was the first time the technique was used in India and the findings were presented in November at the 38th Union World Conference on Lung Health in Cape Town, South Africa.
About Nutra Pharma Corp.
Nutra Pharma Corp. is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the acquisition, licensing and commercialization of pharmaceutical products and technologies for the management of neurological disorders, cancer, autoimmune and infectious diseases. Nutra Pharma Corp. through its subsidiaries carries out basic drug discovery research and clinical development and also seeks strategic licensing partnerships to reduce the risks associated with the drug development process. The Company's holding, ReceptoPharm, Inc, is developing these technologies for the production of drugs for HIV and Multiple Sclerosis ("MS"). The Company's subsidiary, Designer Diagnostics, is engaged in the research and development of diagnostic test kits designed to be used for the rapid identification of infectious diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB) and Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI). Nutra Pharma continues to identify and acquire intellectual property and companies in the biotechnology arena.
http://www.NutraPharma.com
http://www.DesignerDiagnostics.com
SEC Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements. The words or phrases "would be," "will allow," "intends to," "will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimate," "project," or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements." Actual results could differ materially from those projected in Nutra Pharma's ("the Company") business plan. The Company's business is subject to various risks, which are discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The expanded licensing agreement with NanoLogix, Inc., to include environmental testing should not be construed as an indication in any way whatsoever of the value of the Company or its common stock. The Company's filings may be accessed at the SEC's Edgar system at www.sec.gov. Statements made herein are as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as of any subsequent date. The Company cautions readers not to place reliance on such statements. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, we do not undertake, and we specifically disclaim any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences, developments, unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statement.
SOURCE: Nutra Pharma Corp.
Nutra Pharma Corp.
David Isserman, 877-895-5647
ir@nutrapharma.comCopyright Business Wire 2007
BOCA RATON, Fla., Dec 27, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Nutra Pharma Corp. (OTCBB:NPHC), a biotechnology company that is developing drugs for HIV and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), has today announced that it has expanded its licensing agreement with NanoLogix, Inc., (Pink Sheets: NNLX) to include intellectual property for the use of testing the environment for NonTuberculous Mycobacterium (NTM).
"NTM infections are becoming a major concern for hospitals and medical clinics around the world," explained Rik J. Deitsch, Chairman and CEO of Nutra Pharma Corporation. "Combining our newly licensed intellectual property with our current test kit technology will allow our subsidiary, Designer Diagnostics, to attempt to successfully launch a cost-effective solution to help identify the environmental sources of NTM infections," he added.
NonTuberculous Mycobacterium, also known as atypical Tuberculosis (Atypical TB) or Mycobacterium other than Tuberculosis (MOTT), is a bacteria that is found in water, including hot tubs and showers, some domestic and wild animals, and soil. One of the most common forms of NTM infections found in humans is Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). This is a primary cause of respiratory disease in humans and is a leading cause of death in HIV/AIDS patients.
"Expanding this licensing agreement to include environmental testing is a natural progression of our relationship with Nutra Pharma and our belief in its ability to successfully bring these kits to market," commented Bret Barnhizer, President and CEO of NanoLogix, Inc. "In addition to helping detect NTM in patients, Nutra Pharma will now be able to test for NTM in the environment to help prevent others from becoming infected," he concluded.
Nutra Pharma's wholly-owned medical devices subsidiary, Designer Diagnostics, is currently planning to undergo third party validation for its NTM diagnostic test kits at leading Tuberculosis research institute, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, in Denver, Colorado. The Company plans to apply for FDA approval upon successful completion of this clinical trial.
Recently, distinguished NTM research scientist, Dr. Rahul Narang, used the Designer Diagnostics test kits to test soil and water samples collected from the environment of patients with NTM infections. This was the first time the technique was used in India and the findings were presented in November at the 38th Union World Conference on Lung Health in Cape Town, South Africa.
About Nutra Pharma Corp.
Nutra Pharma Corp. is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the acquisition, licensing and commercialization of pharmaceutical products and technologies for the management of neurological disorders, cancer, autoimmune and infectious diseases. Nutra Pharma Corp. through its subsidiaries carries out basic drug discovery research and clinical development and also seeks strategic licensing partnerships to reduce the risks associated with the drug development process. The Company's holding, ReceptoPharm, Inc, is developing these technologies for the production of drugs for HIV and Multiple Sclerosis ("MS"). The Company's subsidiary, Designer Diagnostics, is engaged in the research and development of diagnostic test kits designed to be used for the rapid identification of infectious diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB) and Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI). Nutra Pharma continues to identify and acquire intellectual property and companies in the biotechnology arena.
http://www.NutraPharma.com
http://www.DesignerDiagnostics.com
SEC Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements. The words or phrases "would be," "will allow," "intends to," "will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimate," "project," or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements." Actual results could differ materially from those projected in Nutra Pharma's ("the Company") business plan. The Company's business is subject to various risks, which are discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The expanded licensing agreement with NanoLogix, Inc., to include environmental testing should not be construed as an indication in any way whatsoever of the value of the Company or its common stock. The Company's filings may be accessed at the SEC's Edgar system at www.sec.gov. Statements made herein are as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as of any subsequent date. The Company cautions readers not to place reliance on such statements. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, we do not undertake, and we specifically disclaim any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences, developments, unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statement.
SOURCE: Nutra Pharma Corp.
Nutra Pharma Corp.
David Isserman, 877-895-5647
ir@nutrapharma.comCopyright Business Wire 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
U of C brain research gets brawn from $5M federal funding
Some of the most serious health issues in the city will be studied more extensively, thanks to a $5 million injection to the University of Calgary's Hotchkiss Brain Institute.
Industry minister Jim Prentice announced the recipients of 21 new health research grants for the institute yesterday at the U of C.
The funding will go to the study of epilepsy, stroke, movement disorders, stress, depression and workplace mental health.
"Through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canada's government is supporting health research that addresses society's highest-priority health issues," said Prentice, speaking on behalf of Health Minister Tony Clement.
The Hotchkiss Brain Institute will look at lost productivity in the workplace due to poor mental health. The results could help decrease the $33 billion cost to Canadian businesses each year.
Prentice also announced $377 million in health research grants across Canada -- $36 million of which will be allotted to projects in Alberta and conducted at the U of C, the University of Alberta and University of Lethbridge.
University of Calgary president Harvey Weingarten said the new projects will help make great breakthroughs in local healthcare.
"Our scientists, physicians and health researchers are putting their considerable talents and passion into finding answers for fundamental questions about cancer, arthritis, asthma and obesity, and translating those results into actions to improve people's lives," said Weingarten.
The projects will be carried out over the next five years.
By JENNA MCMURRAY, SUN MEDIA
Industry minister Jim Prentice announced the recipients of 21 new health research grants for the institute yesterday at the U of C.
The funding will go to the study of epilepsy, stroke, movement disorders, stress, depression and workplace mental health.
"Through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canada's government is supporting health research that addresses society's highest-priority health issues," said Prentice, speaking on behalf of Health Minister Tony Clement.
The Hotchkiss Brain Institute will look at lost productivity in the workplace due to poor mental health. The results could help decrease the $33 billion cost to Canadian businesses each year.
Prentice also announced $377 million in health research grants across Canada -- $36 million of which will be allotted to projects in Alberta and conducted at the U of C, the University of Alberta and University of Lethbridge.
University of Calgary president Harvey Weingarten said the new projects will help make great breakthroughs in local healthcare.
"Our scientists, physicians and health researchers are putting their considerable talents and passion into finding answers for fundamental questions about cancer, arthritis, asthma and obesity, and translating those results into actions to improve people's lives," said Weingarten.
The projects will be carried out over the next five years.
By JENNA MCMURRAY, SUN MEDIA
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