Immunicon Corporation (NASDAQ-NM:IMMC), announced today that its CellTracks(R) Analyzer II received a 2006 Medical Design Excellence Award in the category of In Vitro Diagnostics. The CellTracks Analyzer II is a semi-automated fluorescence microscope used to count and characterize fluorescently labeled cells that are immuno-magnetically selected and aligned. It is currently used by clinicians and research settings in conjunction with the CellTracks(R) AutoPrep system and specific reagent kits in the diagnosis of patients with metastatic breast cancers.
The Medical Design Excellence Awards competition is organized and presented by Canon Communications LLC of Los Angeles, and is the only awards program that exclusively recognizes contributions and advances in the design of medical products. Entries are evaluated on the basis of their design and engineering features, including innovative use of materials, user-related functions that improve healthcare delivery and change traditional medical attitudes or practices, features that provide enhanced benefits to the patient, and the ability of the product development team to overcome design and engineering challenges so the product meets its clinical objectives.
Byron Hewett, President and Chief Executive Officer for Immunicon, said: “We are gratified that this award recognizes the relevance of our technology for oncologists and researchers. Previously, they could monitor the status of metastatic cancers and response to treatment only through subjective interpretation of imaging scans which are conducted typically every three to six months. The CellTracks(R) Analyzer II is part of a suite of products that determines the presence of Circulating Tumor Cells in a patient’s bloodstream and provides new information for disease management after each cycle of therapy. This is a design which truly can change traditional medical practice and encourage more effective treatment of metastatic cancers.”
A comprehensive review of the entries was performed by an impartial, multidisciplinary panel of third-party jurors with expertise in biomedical engineering, human factors, industrial design, medicine and diagnostics.
The 2006 Medical Design Excellence Award winners will be honored at a June 7 ceremony during the Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) East Conference and Exposition in New York City’s Javits Convention Center.
For information about the Medical Design Excellence Awards, visit the MDEA Web site at www.MDEAwards.com Visit www.mdmeast.com to learn more about the MD&M East show.
Note to Editors: Product Photo Available Upon Request
About Immunicon Corporation
Immunicon Corporation is developing and commercializing proprietary cell- and molecular-based human diagnostic and life science research products with an initial focus on cancer disease management. Immunicon has developed platform technologies for selection and analysis of rare cells in blood, such as circulating tumor cells and circulating endothelial cells that are important in many diseases and biological processes. Immunicon’s products and underlying technology platforms also have application in the clinical development of cancer drugs and in cancer research and may have applications in other fields of medicine, such as cardiovascular and infectious diseases. www.immunicon.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
The information contained in this press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are often preceded by words such as “hope,””may,””believe,””anticipate,””plan,””expect,””intend,””assume,””will” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, among others, statements relating to Immunicon’s anticipated net cash burn for 2005, Immunicon’s funding strategy for commercialization activities and key product and clinical development programs and other statements not of historical fact. Immunicon cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, reflect management’s current expectations and involve certain factors, such as risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be far different from those suggested by Immunicon’s forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: Immunicon’s dependence on Veridex, LLC, a Johnson & Johnson company, in the field of cancer cell analysis; Immunicon’s capital and financing needs; research and development and clinical trial expenditures; commercialization of Immunicon’s product candidates Immunicon’s ability to use licensed products and to obtain new licenses from third parties; Immunicon’s ability to manage its growth; obtaining necessary regulatory approvals; reliance on third party manufacturers and suppliers; reimbursement by third party payors to Immunicon’s customers for Immunicon’s products; compliance with applicable manufacturing standards; the ability to earn license and milestone payments under Immunicon’s agreement with Veridex; retaining key management or scientific personnel; delays in the development of new products or to planned improvements to Immunicon’s products; effectiveness Immunicon’s products compared to competitors’ products; protection of Immunicon’s intellectual property and other proprietary rights; conflicts with the intellectual property of third parties; product liability lawsuits that may be brought against Immunicon; labor, contract or technical difficulties; and competitive pressures in Immunicon’s industry. These factors are discussed in more detail in Immunicon’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Immunicon” and the Immunicon Corporation logo are registered trademarks of Immunicon Corporation. “CellSpotter,””CellTracks” and “AutoPrep” are registered trademarks of Immunivest Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Immunicon Corporation. CellTracks Analyzer II is a trademark of Immunivest Corporation. “CellSearch” is a trademark of Johnson & Johnson. All other trademarks or servicemarks appearing in this report are the property of their respective holders. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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