April 28 2005

For Immediate Release

The Role of Nanotechnologies in Medicine Addressed in April Issue of MedMarkets, from MedMarket Diligence

FOOTHILL RANCH, CA — The onslaught of companies claiming to be developing nanotechnologies has burgeoned over the last few years in coordination with the increased availability of federal dollars earmarked for the development of nanotechnologies.  While not all of these technologies actually qualify as "nano" an dwhile some may never make it out of the laboratory, there are numerous technologies with potential for real world medical use, according to the April 2005 isssue of MedMarkets, published by MedMarket Diligence.

"With federal budget outlays for nanotechnology development increasing from roughly $400 million as recently as 2001 to over $1 billion currently, it should be no surprise to anyone how many companies have sprung up in this field, which was already plagued by hype and exaggerated claims of imminent commercial applications," says Patrick Driscoll, president of MedMarket Diligence.  "Having said that, there are many, many practical applications of both nanotechnology and its larger cousin, MEMS (microelectromechanical machines), in the medical field."

According to Driscoll, these include many types of nanosensors focused on everything from monitoring vital signs to monitoring implantable medical device status, as well as nano devices with such diverse applications as local drug delivery, cancer therapeutics and many more.  This wide range of device types, clinical applications (from diagnosis to treatment) and the broad definition of "nanotechnology" (from the atomic to macroscopic) is the reason why, supported by so much funding, the number of companies has proliferated.

The April 2005 issue of MedMarkets reviews select academic and commercial research programs underway in nanotech medical device development.  Other coverage in the April issue, as well as archive coverage, is shown at www.mediligence.com/archive2005.html.

MedMarket Diligence provides tactical decision-making solutions on medical technology to the medical products and investment industries. The company publishes the MedMarkets newsletter, a monthly analysis of the market implications of new medical technology and dedicated reports on technology markets.  For additional details, contact Patrick Driscoll at email or call 949-859-3401 or toll-free (in the U.S.). 1-866-820-1357.