Press releases
KANE BIOTECH ACQUIRES NOVEL PRODUCT TO COMBAT BIOFILMS
Enzyme dispersin B Shown to Prevent Biofilm Related Device Infections
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (April 26, 2005) - Kane Biotech Inc. (TSX-V:KNE), a biotechnology company engaged in the development of products to prevent and disperse bacterial biofilms, is pleased to announce that it has acquired the
worldwide exclusive license to all human and industrial applications of the dispersin B enzyme from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ). This technology strongly compliments the Company’s existing
patent portfolio and product development strategy.
“This novel and leading edge technology is a great fit with our Company’s strategy of developing products that target the eradication of biofilms”, stated Mr. Gord Froehlich, Vice President, Business Development of Kane Biotech Inc. “In addition to adding to our already strong patent estate in this area, dispersin B has already completed proof of principle at the product level in studies against significant pathogenic bacteria”.
The discovery of dispersin B was made by Dr. Jeffrey Kaplan, Assistant Professor in the Department of Oral Biology at UMDNJ, who was able to show that the novel enzyme is responsible for the dispersal of bacterial biofilms. This novel technology has several applications, including the prevention of device-related hospital-acquired infections.
Lab studies have shown that dispersin B can be used to prevent and disperse biofilms formed by Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, among the most common causes of infections associated with
indwelling medical devices including catheters. Staphylococcus epidermidis is a frequent contaminant of medical devices and many of the bacteria’s isolates are antibiotic resistant, so infection by the bacteria is very serious and can be fatal.
The Center for Disease Control in Atlanta has reported that one in ten patients in the United States will acquire an infection after admission to a hospital. The result is prolonged hospital stays, an additional US$5 billion in annual health costs and, most tragically, numerous deaths each year. Device related infections are responsible for 80% of all hospital-acquired infections.
Kane Biotech continues the development of its first generation medical device coating using novel compounds the Company has shown to inhibit biofilm formation. As the Company works toward the completion of a prototype urinary catheter coating, it continues development of a novel anti-dental cavity product that has shown the ability to inhibit the formation of biofilms in Streptococcus mutans, the predominant organism in the formation of dental plaque.
About The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey is the largest health sciences University in the United States. UMDNJ is New Jersey's statewide system of health sciences education, biomedical research and HealthCare.
Founded in 1970 to consolidate New Jersey's health professions education, UMDNJ has become the very core of the state's health sciences system. With five campuses and a network of more than 200 affiliated healthcare and
educational partners spanning the state of New Jersey, UMDNJ plays a major role in the lives of all of almost every person in New Jersey.
About Kane Biotech Inc.
Kane Biotech is a biotechnology company engaged in the development of products to prevent and disperse bacterial biofilms. The Company is developing products for the prevention and dispersal of biofilms focused on the genetic mechanisms of biofilm formation, and originally based upon the discovery of over 60 novel anti-biofilm targets.
Biofilms develop when bacteria, and other microorganisms, form a protective matrix that acts as a shield against attack. When in a biofilm, bacteria become highly resistant to antibiotics, high temperatures and host immune responses. This resiliency contributes to human health problems such as recurrent urinary tract infections, medical device associated infections and tooth decay. Infections caused by urinary catheters alone cost the United States healthcare system US$1 billion. Biofilms are estimated to be responsible for 65% of all human infections and cost industry, cities and hospitals in excess of $500 billion each year.
For more information, please contact:
Gord Froehlich
Vice-President, Business Development
Kane Biotech Inc.
204-477-7597 phone
204-453-1314 fax
info@kanebiotech.com
www.kanebiotech.com
Certain information contained in this press release may be forward-looking and is subject to risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations contained herein are reasonable, it can give no assurances such forward-looking statements will prove correct. Information is provided from sources deemed to be reliable.
The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.




