DURHAM, N.C., June 30, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oxygen Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:OXBT) today announced that results from U.S. Navy studies demonstrated decreased mortality in porcine animal models that were given an intravenous dose of Oxycyte® perfluorocarbon emulsion (PFCE) after the onset of decompression sickness (DCS). These results showed a statistically significant decrease in mortality compared with the control group that did not receive Oxycyte PFCE. This data was published in the June issue of Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine. The authors of the paper are Drs. Richard T. Mahon, Tomas T. Watanabe and Charles R. Auker and Madison C. Wilson, all of the Undersea Medicine Department at the U.S. Naval Medical Research Center. Their work was funded by the Office of Naval Research.
Of the 54 swine studied, 25 received Oxycyte PFCE and 29 received normal saline solution. For the animals treated with Oxycyte PFCE, 72 percent survived versus 45 percent in the control group (p<0.05); similarly, survival at 24 hours was significantly greater in the group treated with Oxycyte PFCE than in the control group (p<0.05). Functional recovery as assessed by the Tarlov scale was better at 24 hours in the Oxycyte group, with 52 percent of animals scoring >3 versus 28 percent in the control group.
"Dr. Mahon's study is an important advancement in developing new therapies to treat sailors suffering from DCS," said Chris Stern, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Oxygen Biotherapeutics, developer and manufacturer of Oxycyte PFCE. "We believe the results provide additional data that the oxygen delivery, gas eliminating and surfactant properties of our product make it an ideal candidate to be developed as a DCS therapeutic agent."
About Oxycyte
Oxycyte is a third-generation perfluorocarbon emulsion containing an inert, proprietary perfluorocarbon. The emulsion is very stable, unlike earlier generation PFC emulsions. Oxycyte carries 43 mL of oxygen per 100 mL.
About Decompression Sickness
Decompression sickness (DCS, also called the bends or caisson disease) is the result of inadequate decompression following exposure to increased pressure. In some cases, the disease is mild and not an immediate threat. In other cases, serious injury does occur; when this happens, the quicker treatment begins, the better the chance for a full recovery.
During a deep underwater dive, body tissues absorb nitrogen from the breathing gas in proportion to the surrounding pressure. As long as the diver remains at this pressure, the gas presents no problem. If the diver comes to the surface too quickly and the pressure is reduced too fast, the nitrogen comes out of solution and forms bubbles in the diver's tissues and bloodstream. Bubbles forming in or near joints are the presumed cause of the joint pain of a classical "bend." When high levels of bubbles occur, serious reactions can take place in the body, usually in the spinal cord or brain. Numbness, paralysis and disorders of higher cerebral function may result. If great amounts of decompression are missed and large numbers of bubbles enter the venous bloodstream, congestive symptoms in the lung and circulatory shock can then occur.
About Oxygen Biotherapeutics, Inc.
Oxygen Biotherapeutics, Inc. is developing medical and cosmetic products that efficiently deliver oxygen to tissues in the body. The company has developed a proprietary perfluorocarbon (PFC) therapeutic oxygen carrier and liquid ventilation product called Oxycyte® that is being formulated for both intravenous and topical delivery. In April, the company launched its first cosmetic product, Dermacyte® Oxygen Concentrate. In addition, the company is focused on perfluorocarbon-based oxygen carriers for use in traumatic brain injury, decompression sickness, personal care, and topical wound healing. More information is available at www.oxybiomed.com or www.buydermacyte.com.
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Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements by the company that involve risks and uncertainties and reflect the company's judgment as of the date of this release. These statements include the expansion of development of the Oxycyte product line and the timing of the introduction of those new products. The forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including matters beyond the company's control that could lead to delays in new product introductions and customer acceptance of these new products, and other risks and uncertainties as described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the current report on Form 8-K filed on May 4, 2010. The company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements beyond the date of this release. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.