NOVEMBER 12, 2008 -- The European Patent Office has granted a patent to Nomir Medical Technologies (Waltham, MA) that protects the company's core Noveon technology. Noveon is a light-based system that targets the elimination of bacterial and fungal infections through a near-infrared (NIR) photo-inactivation effect, while preserving healthy tissue and promoting recovery.
The patent coverage provides for use of two proprietary near-infrared wavelengths that have proven to damage and eradicate bacteria and fungi in human diseased tissue ranging from onychomycosis (toenail fungus) to MRSA infection in the human nose, without thermal injury to surrounding tissues.
The patent, No. 1,663,393, has broad coverage through apparatus claims, including general bacterial infections, specialty optical clips for fingers and toes, hand pieces, root-canal tips, dental scalers, and otoscopes.
In November 2007, Nomir received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to use Noveon during contact and non-contact surgical procedures of the skin, subcutaneous tissues and nasal passages in dermatology, plastic surgery, podiatry, and otolaryngology. The Noveon is designed to effect near-infrared photo-inactivation of bacteria and fungi at energies and temperatures that are safe to normal and healthy tissue.
Nomir's Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Eric Bornstein, said, "The granting of this patent is a significant milestone in the evolution of Nomir as a leading photobiology company. We have been developing the Noveon system for five years, and are grateful for the protection that this patent now offers to this unique and proprietary therapy for fighting human infections. This patent covers important systems and is currently integrated into our core medical and dental products and rich research and development pipeline."
President and CEO Richard Burtt said, "This new European patent contains broad claims that cover many of the unique and important characteristics in our Noveon system, and adds to our substantial photobiology portfolio. We remain committed to innovation that furthers our core technology and protects our market-leading position in the field of anti-infective optical technologies."
Nomir will present detailed data from a recent IRB-approved MRSA human study at the Termis North America Annual Conference and Exhibition in San Diego, December 7-10, 2008. Additionally, Nomir initiated the FDA pivotal study of its Noveon device for the onychomycosis indication in May 2008, an integral step for FDA clearance of the application.
Nomir Medical Technologies is a medical device company with a product pipeline of optical energy therapeutics being developed for multiple clinical applications. Its light-based systems target the elimination of bacterial and fungal infections, while also promoting healthy tissue recovery. This potential therapy-altering technology may enhance the effectiveness of, or even reduce the need for antibiotics and antifungal agents, and may be associated with fewer treatment side-effects. Nomir has a broad patent portfolio with pending systems, methods and unique photobiological mechanism claims for near-infrared photodamage to bacterial and fungal pathogens.
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Nomir Medical Technologies, Inc.