LOS ALAMOS, N.M., Mar
31, 2008 -- Manhattan Scientifics (Pink Sheets:MHTX) announced today
that it has entered into a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) with
Dr. Terry C. Lowe, president of Metallicum, Inc., to acquire Metallicum
together with its patent rights to produce and market NanoTitanium
and other ultra fine grain nano-structured metals.
The details of the planned
merger were not disclosed. A definitive agreement is expected to
be concluded within 60 days. Manhattan Scientifics plans to form
a new Advanced Technologies division focusing on advanced science
for advanced medicine.
These new ultra fine
grain metals hold the promise for important advances in the medical
device industry, particularly for dental implants, cardiovascular
stents and for a wide range of prosthetic applications including
artificial knees, shoulders, and hips. NanoTitanium is highly compatible
with bone and is thought to provide stronger, faster bonding with
improved strength, biocompatibility, longer life and improved wear
and tear.
Founded in 2001, Metallicum
has developed methods to modify the microstructure of metals by
"nanostructuring" them. This procedure simultaneously
increases the biocompatibility and strength of virtually any metal.
For example, nanostructuring pure titanium (the material that is
most commonly used in dental implants) can more than double its
strength, making it stronger than most existing titanium alloys.
The ability of bone cells to attach to nanostructured pure titanium
surfaces at rates greater than 100% higher than with conventional
alloys enables the development and marketing of a dental implant
that can be fully integrated and useable with half the healing time
of existing products. Other medical prosthetics will follow along
the same path.
Manhattan Scientifics'
newly elected CEO, Manny Tsoupanarias, added, "While we continue
our efforts in the area of alternative energy and we have successfully
incubated technologies associated with the U.S. Government labs
in New Mexico, including Novint Technologies Inc. (OTCBB:NVNT),
we have identified another promising opportunity. We have sufficient
capital commitments to complete this acquisition and to fund its
needs. We've opened discussions with potential customers in Europe
and we are moving forward to conclude this transaction. We plan
to manufacture the new metal in a plant already under construction
in Albuquerque, NM and to generate profits by the sale of the metal
and through licensing its use in medical prosthetics. Our goal is
to build a profitable new business as we re-establish our strategic
direction."
Dr. Terry Lowe, Metallicum's
president, added, "Extensive trials of nanotitanium-based dental
implants have been conducted in Europe over the past three years.
Some 600 people have successfully used and demonstrated the advantages
and safety of the new form of titanium we have developed. Given
the excellent history in Europe, we plan to work with the FDA in
the U.S. to apply for broad use of nanotitanium under FDA's section
510(k). Ultra fine grain metals are substantially equivalent to
metals currently accepted for use in prosthetics for human beings,
thus quick acceptance by the FDA is expected."
Lowe previously served
as deputy director of the Materials Science and Technology division
at the Los Alamos National Laboratory and was chiefly responsible
for materials technology commercialization, overseeing up to 70
license, co-venture and other commercialization agreements per year.
Lowe was formerly CEO
of Technanogy, the world's first and largest nanotechnology incubator.
He led the company to its first commercial production and sales
of aluminum nanoparticles.
About Manhattan Scientifics
Manhattan Scientifics, Inc., http://www.mhtx.com,
is located in Montreal Canada, New Mexico and New York City. It
is developing and plans to acquire technologies in a variety of
environmentally friendly energy and other people-friendly industries.
The foregoing press release
contains forward-looking statements which are subject to risk and
uncertainty which may be beyond the company’s control.
Copies of Manhattan Scientifics’
press releases and related investor information may be found at
http://www.hawkassociates.com and http://www.americanmicrocaps.com.
An investment profile
about Manhattan Scientifics may be found at http://www.hawkassociates.com/mhtx/profile.htm.
Executive Contacts:
Manny Tsoupanarias
Email: mtsoupanarias@manhattan-scientifics.com
Phone: 514-917-2879
Dr. Terry Lowe
Email: tlowe@metallicum.com
Phone: 505-670-8755.
For Investor Relations contact MHTX Chairman Emeritus Marvin Maslow
Email:maslow@ix.netcom.com
Phone: 917-923-3300