RESTON, Va., Aug. 28, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- TenthGate International, Inc., www.TenthGate.biz (Pink Sheets:TGTI), ("TenthGate"), an innovative medical holding company focusing on healthcare related life-changing technologies, comments on the FDA's new sunscreen proposals.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week proposed new rules covering the ingredients, labeling and testing of sunscreens that boast of protecting against both the sun's ultraviolet B rays, which cause sunburn, and the ultraviolet A rays associated with more serious and longer-term damage. The FDA will collect public comments for 90 days, make revisions as necessary and then publish a final rule. That rule, once it appears, would take effect only 18 months later, which puts it sometime in 2009 at earliest.
Per Tim Novak, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TenthGate: "We believe our innovative science and testing methodologies for sunscreen efficacy will ultimately become an integral part of the current movement to improve public safety and disclosures concerning sun exposure. We will be sharing specifics about our technology's research and development with the FDA as well as targeted development partners in the coming months. Our focus is on improving the accuracy of the underlying science that is used to evaluate sunscreen products. The FDA's proposal helps to energize the industry and sets a positive tone for next generation solutions."
TenthGate has acquired a suite of technology licenses from STC.UNM (http://stc.unm.edu/) that were developed at the University of New Mexico School of Pharmacy by Dr. Graham Timmins. Dr. Timmins' research and technology patents focus on understanding specific causation factors of melanoma skin cancer, using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) as the diagnostics medium at the cellular level. TenthGate is pending trademark approval for 'MPF' or 'Melanocyte Protective Factor', which they will use to quantitatively describe the new protective efficacy scale in a standard fashion.
Per Dr. Timmins, "This testing takes place at the melanin free radical level and is the basis for the creation of several melanoma prevention and intervention strategies." Graham Timmins, UNM professor of medicinal chemistry and toxicology, developed the technology using an "electron paramagnetic resonance" (EPR) device. Timmins' invention, called the Melanoscan, uses magnetic waves to detect cancerous or precancerous moles on the human body.
"It's like a small MRI machine to measure free radicals that affect melanin, or pigment, in skin," Timmins says. "Optical, or light-based, devices can only get about one-tenth of an inch into the skin, which is not enough to image melanoma. We can go much deeper to actually measure and image the free radicals that mutate the cells. By measuring the level of free radicals in cells, the technology can set a new standard for determining how effective sunscreens and other cosmetics are in protecting against ultra-violet rays."
About Dr. Graham Timmins
http://hsc.unm.edu/pharmacy/faculty/Graham_Timmins.shtml
TenthGate looks to provide sunscreen manufacturers and retailers a more exact description of the UVA/UVB protective qualities of sunscreens and other cosmetic products as well as assist in the development of new, more effective formulations. This technology serves to provide consumers more accurate information with which to make better informed decisions on responsible sun exposure protective measures. This goal aligns with the recent FDA proposal.
Description of TenthGate's EPR Technology Applications:
http://www.tenthgate.biz/mDP.html
About TenthGate
TenthGate International, Inc. is focused on the acquisition and development of life changing, health related technologies. The range of acquired technologies includes biotech/life sciences, diagnostic and unique medical devices. The Company has acquired several intellectual properties and licenses to date, two of which have obtained FDA approval. The Company has obtained exclusive license for an emerging melanoma diagnostic and prevention technology utilizing Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) technology. TenthGate has identified several additional technologies for acquisition.
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About STC.UNM
STC.UNM is a New Mexico nonprofit corporation with principle offices located in Albuquerque, NM. STC.UNM has been designated by the Regents of the University of New Mexico to administer all matters pertaining to protection, utilization and commercialization of the intellectual property developed at the University. http://stc.unm.edu/
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