MRI Interventions' CEO to Present at 2013 Brain Tumor Biotech Summit regarding MRI-Guided Therapies for Brain Cancer
IRVINE, Calif., June 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- MRI Interventions, Inc. (OTCQB: MRIC) announced today that its Chief Executive Officer, Kimble Jenkins, will deliver a presentation at the Brain Tumor Biotech Summit 2013 regarding the application of the company's ClearPoint® Neuro Intervention System as a platform for MRI-guided drug delivery in treatment of brain tumors. Jenkins' talk titled "ClearPoint Technologies for MRI-Guided Therapies" will take place June 7, 2013 during the session "Imaging Applications and Treatment for Malignant Glioma."
MRI Interventions' ClearPoint system enables real-time MRI-guided navigation for a wide range of minimally-invasive neurosurgery procedures, and the platform is particularly well-suited for facilitating drug delivery directly to brain tumors. Some historical challenges with drug delivery to the brain – bypassing the blood brain barrier, side effects associated with systemic delivery, inability to see the placement of the drug delivery cannula and difficulty confirming tumor coverage – are addressed through the direct visualization and precise device placement that the ClearPoint system enables.
The ClearPoint platform's integrated system of reusable components, disposable components and intuitive menu-driven software is designed to provide real-time visual guidance for the placement and operation of instruments during neurological procedures performed within the MRI environment. A surgeon using the ClearPoint system for direct drug delivery to a brain tumor first sees and selects the target location, aims the ClearPoint targeting device and watches via MR-imaging as the drug delivery cannula is advanced to the target location inside the patient's brain. The surgeon can then visually monitor the flow and administration of the drug at the point of delivery.
The ClearPoint system is currently involved in five different clinical trials to enable delivery of investigational therapeutics, three of which are for brain tumors and two of which are for Parkinson's disease.
The Brain Tumor Biotech Summit is presented by the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center along with Voices Against Brain Cancer. The Summit brings together neuroscientists, oncologists and investors to encourage the development of life-saving therapies for patients with brain tumors and other central nervous system diseases.
About the ClearPoint® Neuro Intervention System
The ClearPoint system is designed to allow real-time, direct visualization during neurosurgery by utilizing the powerful imaging capabilities of MRI. The ClearPoint system is intended to be used as an integral part of procedures, such as biopsies and catheter and electrode insertions, which have traditionally been performed using stereotactic methods. MRI Interventions and its distributor Brainlab have partnered to enable neurosurgeons to visualize local drug delivery to the brain and central nervous system using the ClearPoint platform. The ClearPoint SmartFlow® cannula is presently FDA-cleared for injection of cytarabine, a chemotherapy drug, to the ventricles or removal of CSF from the ventricles during intracranial procedures. Delivery of other therapeutic agents using the SmartFlow cannula is investigational. In addition to drug delivery, ClearPoint technology is also being used in asleep deep brain stimulation procedures, focal laser ablation therapy and brain biopsies.
About MRI Interventions, Inc.
Founded in 1998, MRI Interventions (OTCQB: MRIC) is a publicly traded company creating innovative platforms for performing the next generation of minimally-invasive surgical procedures in the brain and heart. Utilizing a hospital's existing MRI suite, the company's FDA-cleared and CE-marked ClearPoint® system is designed to enable a range of minimally-invasive procedures in the brain. MRI Interventions has a co-development and co-distribution agreement with Brainlab, a leader in software-driven medical technology, relating to the ClearPoint system. In partnership with Siemens Healthcare, MRI Interventions is developing the ClearTrace® system to enable MRI-guided catheter ablations to treat cardiac arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation. Building on the imaging power of MRI, the company's interventional platforms strive to improve patient care while reducing procedure costs and times. MRI Interventions is also working with Boston Scientific Corporation to incorporate its MRI-safety technologies into Boston Scientific's implantable leads for cardiac and neurological applications. For more information, please visit www.MRIInterventions.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain matters in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements often can be identified by words such as "anticipates," "believes," "could," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "may," "plans," "potential," "predicts," "projects," "should," "will," "would," or the negative of these words or other words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that, to different degrees, are uncertain and involve risk. Uncertainties and risks may cause MRI Interventions' actual results and the timing of events to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by MRI Interventions' forward-looking statements. Particular uncertainties and risks include, among others: demand and market acceptance of our products; our ability to successfully expand our sales and clinical support capabilities; our ability to successfully complete the development of, and to obtain regulatory clearance or approval for, future products, including our current product candidates; availability of third party reimbursement; the sufficiency of our cash resources to maintain planned commercialization efforts and research and development programs; future actions of the FDA or any other regulatory body that could impact product development, manufacturing or sale; our ability to protect and enforce our intellectual property rights; our dependence on collaboration partners; the impact of competitive products and pricing; and the impact of the commercial and credit environment on us and our customers and suppliers. More detailed information on these and additional factors that could affect MRI Interventions' actual results are described in MRI Interventions' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, MRI Interventions' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 2013. Except as required by law, MRI Interventions undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect any change in MRI Interventions' expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.
Contact Information:
MRI Interventions, Inc.
David Carlson, CFO, 901-522-9300
SOURCE MRI Interventions, Inc.
Released June 6, 2013