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Synthetic Blood International, Inc. Expands Board of Directors

Posted on: Friday, 28 March 2008, 09:01 CDT

Synthetic Blood International, Inc. (OTCBB:SYBD) today announced the addition of two new members to the company's board of directors. The two are Drs. Bruce Spiess, M.D. and Gerald L. Klein, M.D. The company had been in discussions with the two about joining the board prior to the passing Sunday night of Robert Larsen.

Dr. Spiess is Virginia Commonwealth University Professor of Anesthesiology and Emergency Medicine , Director of Research (Anesthesiology) and Director of Virginia Commonwealth University Reanimation Engineering Shock Center (VCURES). He is the co-chair of the company's Scientific Advisory Board and has been conducting clinical trials using Oxycyte® in the treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury patients. Oxycyte is the company's perfluorocarbon (PFC) therapeutic oxygen carrier and blood substitute.

Dr. Klein is vice president of global medical and clinical affairs and chief medical officer for a biotherapeutics company headquartered in Research Triangle Park, NC. His responsibilities there include global clinical development and medical affairs. He previously was a clinical professor of medicine and pediatrics at the University of California at Irvine.

"I'm very pleased that two physicians of such prominence in clinical research and development have agreed to join our board," said Chris J. Stern, DBA, Synthetic Blood International's chairman and CEO. "Bob Larsen wanted the company to proceed aggressively with the clinical development of Oxycyte. The experience and insights of these additional board members will help guide us as we pursue our development strategy. I believe that these new board members both are among the best in their fields. Dr. Spiess has spent over 28 years in perfluocarbon research and is a world authority in tissue oxygenation. Dr. Klein is one of the foremost clinical affairs authorities in biotech today. We are just blessed to have them both aboard," said Dr. Stern.

Said Dr. Spiess, "All the members of the medical advisory board are enthusiastic about the use of Oxycyte as a revolutionary technology to deliver oxygen to the microcirculation thereby to treat diseases wherein up to now we have had limited abilities to make a difference. It will be a personal honor to liaison the medical advice from those lead physicians to the board of directors and vice versa. The members of the medical advisory board join me in mourning the passing of Robert Larsen. He was a consummate gentleman and visionary figure in translating L. C. Clark's discovery of PFC's gas carrying capabilities to a medical miracle and reality. The highest honors we can pay to both Robert Larsen and L. C. Clark are to see patients healed by Oxycyte."

About Synthetic Blood International

Synthetic Blood International is dedicated to commercializing innovative pharmaceuticals and medical devices in the field of oxygen therapeutics and continuous substrate monitoring. The Company has under development an oxygen therapeutic/blood substitute and a liquid ventilation product, and an implantable glucose sensor. These products are based upon core technologies that include biomedical applications for PFCs, and medical and industrial applications for biosensors. Each of the product candidates is designed with advantages over currently marketed products in major markets including acute respiratory distress syndrome, stroke, myocardial infarction, surgery, trauma, malignant tumors and diabetes. For further information, visit www.sybd.com.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements by Synthetic Blood International, Inc. that involve risks and uncertainties and reflect the company's judgment as of the date of this release. These statements refer to the development strategy involving Oxycyte. Actual events or results may differ from Synthetic Blood International, Inc.'s expectations. There can be no assurance that the planned research studies and clinical trials will be conducted in the expected time frame or that any such studies and trials will be successful. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors affecting Synthetic Blood International, Inc.'s business can be found in the company's public periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available via www.SYBD.com. Synthetic Blood International, Inc. disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements beyond the date of this release. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Source: Business Wire

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