August 1, 2006
New Studies Confirm Skinvisible's Patent-Pending Chlorhexidine Hand Sanitizer Kills the Seasonal Flu Virus, ‘Influenza A Virus’ H1 and H3’
Media Contact:
Kelly Krueger
Weber Shandwick for Skinvisible
415.248.3415
kkrueger@webershandwick.com
Corporate Contact:
Terry Howlett, President/CEO
Skinvisible Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
702.433.7154
terry@skinvisible.com
CDC scientists estimate that an average of 36,000 people die from influenza-related complications each year in the United States
LAS VEGAS, Aug. 1, 2006— Skinvisible Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: SKVI) today announced results from the most recent round of studies on its patent-pending Chlorhexidine Antimicrobial Hand Sanitizer, demonstrating a greater than 99.9 percent kill on the seasonal influenza A viruses (H1N1 and H3N2) and the influenza B virus.
The tests are the latest in a series conducted by Retroscreen Virology, a subsidiary of University of London's Queen Mary School of Medicine, on the latest product in development from Skinvisible. Previous studies have shown the hand sanitizer to have a greater than 99 percent inactivation/kill on the “bird flu” virus H5N1 at 4 time points of 15 seconds to 5 minutes and a greater than 98 percent kill/inactivation for up to four hours when applied to skin.
The hand sanitizer’s impressive efficacy against the seasonal flu virus is only part of the story. Because the product uses Skinvisible’s patented Invisicare delivery system, chemists at Skinvisible anticipate that the antimicrobial agent will remain active and bonded to the skin for up to four hours, resisting wash off and perspiration. Additional tests are currently underway to determine persistence against the viruses.
Virologists at Retroscreen explain, "Since the flu easily spreads through person-to-person contact, antiviral hand care products that are shown to inactivate viruses including H5N1 and the Influenza A viruses will be an important weapon in stopping the spread of illness. The longer the active ingredient stays on the skin to kill the virus the better.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), each year in the U.S. an estimated 36,000 people die from influenza and more than 200,000 are admitted to a hospital as a result of the illness. Estimates by the World Health Organization suggest that between 250,000 and 500,000 people a year die from influenza infection worldwide.
"Each positive test result brings this product closer to market,” said Terry Howlett, President and CEO of Skinvisible. “We continue to conduct further tests for persistency against other viruses including Norovirus (Norwalk), Rhinovirus, H2, H7 and SARS. When the research is completed, the product will be licensed to interested drug companies.”
The active ingredient in Skinvisible’s product is Chlorhexidine, an easily tolerated and effective antiseptic that kills or inhibits the growth of disease-causing bacteria, viruses and other organisms, currently used for surgical scrub, skin wounds, germicidal hand rinse, and antibacterial dental rinse. This compound is combined with Skinvisible’s patented Invisicare delivery system, a group of polymers that has the proven ability to bond active ingredients to the skin for up to four or more hours. Skinvisible’s Chlorhexidine Antimicrobial Hand Sanitizer has been successfully tested against a variety of bacteria of concern to the healthcare industry, including the Super Bugs, VRE and MRSA.
About Retroscreen Virology Ltd.
London-based Retroscreen Virology is Europe's leading contract virology research company, created in 1989 from St. Bartholomew's Hospital and the Royal London Hospital by Professor John Oxford, a world-renowned influenza virologist. Retroscreen Virology, which specializes in laboratory and clinic-based respiratory virology research, is the only company in the UK that is able to conduct human influenza challenge studies in a specialized quarantine unit with A/Panama/2007/99 and A/New Caledonia/20/99 viruses, and has characterized influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2) and B viruses. Contact: Dr. Rob Lambkin Managing Director. Tel: 001-44-20-7882-7966.
About Invisicare
At the heart of Skinvisible's patented technology and trademarked Invisicare family of polymer delivery vehicles is its formula and process for combining hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers into stable complexes in water emulsions. This allows formulated products using Invisicare as their platform to remain on the skin for extended periods of time, thereby affording active agents a prolonged timeframe to perform their intended functions. Products utilizing Invisicare have the proven ability to bond active ingredients to the skin for up to four or more hours. They are non-occlusive and allow normal skin respiration and perspiration while moisturizing and protecting against exposure from a wide variety of environmental irritants. When topically applied, these formulated products adhere to the skin's outer layers, forming a protective bond, resisting wash-off, and delivering targeted levels of therapeutic or cosmetic skincare agents to the skin. They allow enhanced delivery performance for a variety of skincare agents resulting in improved efficacy, longer duration of action, reduced irritation and lower dosage of active agent required. The "invisible" polymer compositions wear off as part of the natural exfoliation process of the skin's outer layer cells.
About Skinvisible Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, Skinvisible Pharmaceuticals is a research-and-development company that has formulated and patented innovative polymer delivery system technology and compositions for topical skin applications. Skinvisible's primary marketing and sales objective is to license its technology and sell its trademarked polymer delivery vehicle Invisicare to established dermatological, cosmetic, skincare and pharmaceutical manufacturers. For more information, visit: www.skinvisible.com.
This press release contains 'forward looking' statements within the meaning of Section 21A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties associated with an emerging company. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward looking statements as a result of risk factors discussed in Skinvisible, Inc. reports on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including, but not limited to, a report on Form 10QSB for the quarter ending March 31, 2006.
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