MILESTONE SCIENTIFIC RECEIVES NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE FROM US
PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE FOR COMPUTER-CONTROLLED SELF-ADMINISTRATION
INJECTION SYSTEM
Piscataway, N.J. – (PR NEWSWIRE) – May 3, 2010 – Milestone
Scientific Inc. (OTCBB:MLSS), the recognized leader in advanced
injection technologies, today announced that the United States
Patent and Trademark Office has issued a Notice of Allowance
for Milestone’s U.S. patent application, titled “Self-Administration
Injection System.”
Milestone’s innovative computer-controlled
drug delivery platform has been designed to reduce the anxiety
and pain of self-administration of medications for the rapidly
expanding home-use market. The computer-controlled self-administration
system provides a less threatening, virtually painless means
for patients to safely self-administer in-home a variety
of injections. Moreover, certain differentiating features
and capabilities of the invention include the following:
The
system provides a means to optimize injection parameters
(injection pressure and flow-rate) for a specific area
of the body for each individual, thus allowing the user
to create a unique injection profile specific to their
own pain tolerance and needs.
The computer-controlled system
provides an interactive learning and teaching experience
guiding the user through the injection experience, thereby
reducing the uncertainty and anxiety of performing the
self-administrated injection.
The system provides a means
of reducing medical errors by verifying the authenticity
of the drug administered as well as generating a digital
treatment record of the event that can be reviewed by healthcare
professions to verify self-medication compliance.
The system
has been designed to be compatible with a wide variety
of medications that are routinely prescribed for in-home
self-administration.
According to a February 2010 article published in MedTechInsider,
“The state of the market for self-injection devices is healthy
and growing at a steady clip. Currently, 15% of all injections
are performed by the patient, a percentage that will continue
to rise.” An analysis of market trends reveals a shift to
pre-filled, disposable, simple devices that aim to address
convenience, regulatory compliance requirements and needle
phobia/patient compliance. Such systems are rapidly expanding
across therapeutic areas such as multiple sclerosis (MS),
rheumatoid arthritis (RA), fertility, osteoporosis, hepatitis,
oncology, anemia and migraine. MS, alone, afflicts more than
2.5 million worldwide. Currently, treatment for MS is through
the use of Disease Modifying Medications (DMMs), which are
all administered by subcutaneous or intramuscular injections,
or through intravenous infusions. It has been widely documented
that fear of self-administration of DMMs is a major barrier
to therapeutic adherence.
Dr. Mark Hochman, Director of Clinical Affairs at Milestone
Scientific, noted, “This Notice of Allowance helps to validate
and reinforce Milestone’s commitment to developing novel
medical injection systems that effectively mitigate patient
fear, reduce or eliminate operator error, and promote patient
drug regimen compliance. Moreover, we believe that with this
patent issuance, Milestone will be well positioned to pursue
future teaming opportunities with major medical and pharmaceutical
companies seeking disruptive drug delivery technologies that
will enable them to raise the barriers to market entry and
differentiate their drug products from those delivered by
otherwise conventional means.”
A Notice of Allowance generally completes the substantive
examination of a patent application. The normal process which
results in a final issuance of a U.S. patent involves several
administrative steps that are typically completed in due
course following the issuance of such a Notice. To date,
Milestone has been awarded a total of 23 U.S. utility and
design patents relating to its computer-controlled injection
technologies.
“As our intellectual property estate continues to grow,
the return on investments we’ve made to pioneer positive
change in healthcare delivery are invariably enhanced, and,
in turn, Milestone’s enterprise value is further enriched,”
added Leonard Osser, Chief Executive Officer of Milestone.
“Protecting the tangible advancements we’ve made in the science
and delivery of medical injections is and will remain a key
strategy for us as we persist in redefining the global standard
of care.”
About Milestone Scientific Inc.
Headquartered in Livingston, New Jersey, Milestone Scientific is engaged in pioneering
advanced computer-controlled injection technologies for the medical and dental
markets; and currently sells its award-winning products through a global distribution
network serving North America, Asia, Africa and Europe. For more information
on the STA Single Tooth Anesthesia System® unit and other innovative
Milestone products, please visit the Company's web site found at www.milestonescientific.com
or follow the Company on Twitter @painlessdental or become a fan on Facebook
at Painless Dentistry.
Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements
regarding the timing and financial impact of Milestone's
ability to implement its business plan, expected revenues
and future success. These statements involve a number of
risks and uncertainties and are based on assumptions involving
judgments with respect to future economic, competitive
and market conditions and future business decisions, all
of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately
and many of which are beyond Milestone's control. Some
of the important factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking
statements are general economic conditions, failure to
achieve expected revenue growth, changes in our operating
expenses, adverse patent rulings, FDA or legal developments,
competitive pressures, changes in customer and market requirements
and standards, and the risk factors detailed from time
to time in Milestone's periodic filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, including without limitation,
Milestone's Annual Report for the year ended December 31,
2009. The forward looking-statements in this press release
are based upon management's reasonable belief as of the
date hereof. Milestone undertakes no obligation to
revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements
for any reason.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Elite Financial Communications Group
Dodi Handy, President and CEO (Twitter: @dodihandy)
For Media Inquiries: Kathy Addison, Director, Elite Media
Group (Twitter: @kathyaddison)