ALPHARETTA, Ga., May 20, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SANUWAVE Health, Inc. (OTCBB:SNWV) today received a patent issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office entitled "Use of Pressure Waves for Stimulation, Proliferation, Differentiation and Post-Implantation Viability of Stem Cells." The claims of the patent (patent number 8,728,809) relate to the use of shock waves for stimulation of proliferation inside the body of donor stem cells. The proliferated donor stem cells are then harvested for further laboratory proliferation to create either autologous or allogeneic transplant cells. In another step, shock waves are used to pre-treat the targeted location for tissue regeneration, to stimulate blood vessel formation and thus increase survival rate for transplanted stem cells. Furthermore, the methods of this patent include the application of shock waves after stem cell transplantation in the recipient area to accelerate and enhance tissue reconstruction. The patent life extends to August 2031.
"This patent opens a totally new field for using our shock wave technology in the most advanced medical treatments that employ stem cells for tissue reconstruction," commented Kevin Richardson, Chairman of the board of directors of SANUWAVE. "The total market for stem cell research products, stem cell antibodies and stem cell therapies was $5.7 billion in 2011 and has a potential to reach $8.8 billion by 2016. Our technology can play a role in this market, especially since successful confirmatory work of the subject of this patent has been done by a team at Harvard University. Using SANUWAVE's devices in two different animal models, these scientists demonstrated the effects of shock waves on stimulation inside the body of donor stem cells, which were harvested, implanted and successfully produced viable tissue regeneration. This work has been published in two peer-reviewed journals," concluded Mr. Richardson.
SANUWAVE now has 38 patents (issued or pending) on focused shock waves in medical and non-medical applications.
About SANUWAVE Health, Inc.
SANUWAVE Health, Inc. (www.sanuwave.com) is a shock wave technology company initially focused on the development and commercialization of patented noninvasive, biological response activating devices for the repair and regeneration of skin, musculoskeletal tissue and vascular structures. SANUWAVE's portfolio of regenerative medicine products and product candidates activate biologic signaling and angiogenic responses, producing new vascularization and microcirculatory improvement, which helps restore the body's normal healing processes and regeneration. SANUWAVE applies its patented 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 throughout Europe 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, Asia and Asia/Pacific. In addition, there are license/partnership opportunities for SANUWAVE's shock wave technology for 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.