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For immediate release
Jan. 23, 2006
Ceres Biotechnology working to bringing ultrasonic medical device to market
Richmond, Va. – Park tenant, Ceres Biotechnologies, LLC, announced today that it will assist Misonix, Inc, a medical device company headquartered in Farmingdale, N.Y., in bringing to market its ultrasonic medical devices for those with severe hearing impairment.
These activities are an important element to Misonix’s strategy for commercialization of products that had been in development at Hearing Innovations before the company’s reorganization under Chapter 11. Hearing Innovations, a developmental company with patented HiSonic ultrasonic technology for alleviating profound deafness and tinnitus, is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Misonix.
Based at the Virginia BioTechnology Research Park, Ceres Biotechnology has been contracted for an indefinite period expected to last approximately 18 months. Deliverables under the contract include professional consulting services for the development of technology, software programming, technical and product development engineering, selection of commercial partners, and the creation, testing and development of prototypes. As part of the contract, Ceres Biotechnology will conduct a clinical trail intended to prove efficacy. Ceres envisions the development of a multifunctional unit that will incorporate technologies addressing sensory processes essential for hearing and interpreting sound. The technology also will enable improved hearing by those less impaired, thus significantly expanding the addressable market.
“With a diversified medical device platform that addresses cancer treatment, wound care, aesthetics and other areas, we are excited by the prospects of bringing the benefits of ultrasound to those suffering from hearing disabilities,” said Michael A. McManus Jr., president and chief executive officer of Misonix. “The scientists at Ceres are recognized for their novel applications and the use of sonic waves to assist human living. Moreover, we are delighted to have Ceres’ Dr. Martin Lenhardt, a well recognized expert and one of the patent owners behind some of the technology in medical devices from Hearing Innovations, assisting in the development and commercialization of these products.”
Ceres was formed in 2001 to develop intellectual properties or novel products that involve the use of sound waves and their interaction with humans and animals. The main focus of Ceres is to create patents, licenses or bring patented products to market. The proprietary technology and expertise of Ceres is based on practical research and patented work of Lenhardt and Robert R. Guinta.
Lenhardt, a professor of biomedical engineering and emergency medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University, is responsible for technology, research and patent portfolio management at Ceres. He holds degrees in biology, audiology and psychoacoustics and speech science, and was a fellow at Johns Hopkins in otolaryngology and biomedical engineering.
Guinta has more than 25 years experience in product development and strategic marketing, including a tenure with hearing-aid and hearing-instrument manufacturer Beltone Electronics. With two patents to his credit, Guinta is a noted author of publications in the field of audiology and environmental sciences. He has held guest faculty and consulting positions with the Speech and Hearing Departments of the City College of New York and New York University; the National Institute of Health; the Department of Health, Education and Welfare of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, D.C.; Seton Hall University; Colby College; and the Department of Otolaryngology at Yeshiva University Medical Center. In addition, Guinta has received numerous awards from speech and hearing associations, as well as the lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Audiology of the State of New York.
Lenhardt is the original scientist and patent owner behind some of the technology in medical devices from Misonix’s Hearing Innovations unit, which are intended for commercial use by individuals who are profoundly hearing impaired or those suffering from tinnitus (“ringing in the ear”). Ceres maintained a license on the patent for use in military and industrial applications. Using this technology for military purposes, Ceres partnered with Northrop Grumman Newport News, Inc. to develop an enhanced speech communication system that eliminates aircraft carrier noise when using headgear. The noise reduction process is enabled by miniature high frequency bone conduction transducers/amplifiers and speech processing algorithms that optimize understanding.
Contact:
Nicky Colomb
Virginia BioTechnology Research Park
Phone: (804) 828-6884
E-mail: ncolomb@vabiotech.com
Web site: http://www.vabiotech.com
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