SANUWAVE Receives U.S. Patent to Sterilize Blood Using Its Shock Wave Technology


ALPHARETTA, Ga., April 11, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SANUWAVE Health, Inc. (OTCBB:SNWV) has received a patent issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office entitled "Method and Devices for Cleaning and Sterilization with Shock Waves." The claims of the patent (patent number 8,343,420) relate to a new method that sterilizes blood by applying external shock waves to destroy blood pathogens contained in bags, pipes and tubes. The patent has a term extending to July 2031.

"This marks the first of many patents that we intend to add to our intellectual property portfolio to broaden the use of our technology beyond wound care and regenerative medicine," commented Joseph Chiarelli, Chief Executive Officer of SANUWAVE. "Our strategy is to explore alternative ways to maximize the value of SANUWAVE's shock wave technology by expanding its use for many applications. This new patent protects a novel capability of our proprietary technology and has the potential to be a significant asset for our Company."

"Blood sterilization represents a large, unmet medical need. The original method presented in this patent is based on the use of our technology to eliminate bacteria and viruses potentially present in blood that may be contaminated. Further work will focus on the validation that our shock wave technology disrupts the outer membrane of bacteria and viruses, which results in their death. We believe using this method to eliminate pathogens in blood could address the worldwide shortage of human blood by making more 'safe' blood available for hospitals," concluded Mr. Chiarelli.

About SANUWAVE Health, Inc.
SANUWAVE Health, Inc. (www.sanuwave.com) is a shock wave technology company initially focused on the development and commercialization of noninvasive, biological response activating devices for the repair and regeneration of tissue, musculoskeletal and vascular structures.  SANUWAVE's portfolio of regenerative medicine products and product candidates activate biologic signaling and angiogenic responses, including new vascularization and microcirculatory improvement, helping to restore the body's normal healing processes and regeneration.  SANUWAVE intends to apply its PACE® technology in wound healing, orthopedic/spine, plastic/cosmetic and cardiac conditions.  Its lead product candidate for the global wound care market, dermaPACE®, is CE Marked and has device license approval for the treatment of the skin and subcutaneous soft tissue in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.  In the U.S., dermaPACE is currently under the FDA's Premarket Approval (PMA) review process for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.  SANUWAVE researches, designs, manufactures, markets and services its products worldwide, and believes it has demonstrated that its technology is safe and effective in stimulating healing in chronic conditions of the foot (plantar fasciitis) and the elbow (lateral epicondylitis) through its U.S. Class III PMA approved OssaTron® device, as well as stimulating bone and chronic tendonitis regeneration in the musculoskeletal environment through the utilization of its OssaTron, Evotron® and orthoPACE® devices in Europe and Asia/Pacific. In addition, there are license/partnership opportunities for SANUWAVE's shock wave technology in non-medical uses, including energy, water, food and industrial markets.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to financial results and plans for future business development activities, and are thus prospective. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Among the key risks, assumptions and factors that may affect operating results, performance and financial condition are risks associated with the regulatory approval and marketing of the Company's product candidates and products, unproven pre-clinical and clinical development activities, regulatory oversight, the Company's ability to manage its capital resource issues, competition, and the other factors discussed in detail in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

For additional information about the Company, visit www.sanuwave.com.



            

Contact Data