Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Theralase Announces 44% Improvement in Profitability in Q2 Financials


Toronto, Ontario – August 28, 2012 Theralase Technologies Inc. (“Theralase”) (TSX‐V: TLT) announced its second quarter 2012 financials reporting that revenue remained relatively constant year over year at $670,537 for the three month period ended June 30, 2012, as compared to $688,606 for the same period in 2011.
The net loss for the three month period ended June 30, 2012 was $199,284 which included $77,765 of non-cash expenses (amortization, stock-based compensation expense, foreign exchange gain/loss and lease inducements), as compared to a net loss of $357,262 for the same period last year ($20,597 of non-cash expenses), demonstrating an improvement of 44% year over year.
Selling expenses decreased for the three month period ended June 30, 2012 to $148,526, compared to $327,216 for the same period the previous year, a decrease of 54.6%. The decrease was the direct result of the elimination of non-essential sales personnel and a decrease in product advertising costs associated with their respective territories.
Administrative expenses decreased to $305,693 for the three month period ended June 30, 2012 compared to $319,972 for the same period the previous year, a decrease of 4.5%, as a result of elimination of non-essential administrative personnel.
Research and development costs increased to $241,105 for the three month period ending June 30, 2012 compared to $176,623 for the same period in 2011, a 36.5% increase. The increase is due to the research and development costs associated with the patented TLC-2000 biofeedback therapeutic laser system, scheduled to be commercially launched Q1 2013 and Theralase’s patented Photo Dynamic Compounds (PDCs) under systematic development for clinical evaluation in the destruction of bladder cancer via a FDA Phase 1 human clinical study in 2013.
Roger Dumoulin‐White, President and CEO of Theralase Technologies Inc. stated, “As Theralase expands its presence internationally and maintains its established stronghold in the Canadian market, the Company is committed to bringing its newly designated Therapeutic Laser Therapy Division to profitability in the latter half of 2012 and then to dramatically increase sales with the launch of the TLC‐2000 biofeedback therapeutic laser system in early 2013. The Photo Dynamic Therapy Division; however, will continue to require equity financings, in order to provide the capital injection required to research and develop the technology for a FDA Phase 1 human clinical study in 2013. By investing in  future technology, Theralase will secure the coveted position of an international leader in both divisions of medical laser technology for decades to come.”
During the second quarter, Theralase announced that it has selected bladder cancer as the first clinical target in its Photo Dynamic Compound (PDC) research. Theralase now has a clear direction and mandate with which to prepare for a FDA Phase 1 human clinical study. The Theralase light activated PDC drug has been proven superior to any currently approved FDA PDC drug on the market that has been  tested in the company’s lab. Theralase plans to aggressively pursue commercialization of the ground-breaking PDC technology through an accelerated FDA regulatory approval process. This FDA process is able to "fast-track" approval when a treatment is shown, through proven success rate, to have a positive impact on a serious, life-threatening medical conditions for which no other drug or treatment exists or is as effective.
In addition, during the quarter, Theralase announced that it has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Jordan based medical device distributor MediQu to market and sell the Theralase line of therapeutic laser products into 16 countries in the Middle East region, branded as Theralase Arabia.
Theralase is preparing for significant growth in the 2nd half of 2012 and in 2013 as the Company expands its sales and marketing efforts in the US and internationally and prepares for the launch of its patented TLC‐2000 biofeedback therapeutic laser in Q1 2013.
The complete consolidated financial statements and MD&A for the three and six months ending June 30, 2012 can be found at www.theralase.com and www.sedar.com.
About Theralase Technologies Inc.
Theralase Technologies Inc. founded in 1995, designs, develops, manufactures and markets patented, superpulsed laser technology utilized in biostimulation and biodestruction applications. The technology is safe and effective in the treatment of chronic pain, neural muscular-skeletal conditions and wound healing. When combined with its patented, light-sensitive Photo Dynamic Compounds, Theralase laser technology is able to specifically target and destroy cancers, bacteria and viruses, as well as microbial pathogens associated with food contamination. For further information, please visit www.theralase.com
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those projected herein. The Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchanges) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For More Information
Roger Dumoulin-White                                                                        
President & CEO,                          
416-447-8455 ext. 225                               

Kristina Hachey
CFO
416-447-8455 x224

Greg Bewsh
Director of Investor Relations,
416-447-8455 ext. 262

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Theralase Creates Two Operating Divisions


Toronto, Ontario – August 16, 2012, Theralase Technologies Inc. (TSX-V: TLT) announced today that it is reorganizing its operations into two separate reportable operating divisions to better service and focus the company’s resources for both independent markets. The Therapeutic Laser Technology (TLT) division will be responsible for all aspects of the Company’s burgeoning therapeutic laser business, which manufactures products used by healthcare practitioners predominantly for the healing of pain and the Photo Dynamic Therapy (PDT) division, which researches and develops Photo Dynamic Compounds (PDCs) for the destruction of primarily cancer.
Roger Dumoulin-White, President & CEO of Theralase Technologies stated that “It has become evident through the recent successes of both technology platforms that these two operating divisions have unique requirements in terms of financing, staffing, logistics and resource allocation. Our intent is to manage and focus the direction of each division to better execute on their respective strategic objectives. Our therapeutic laser products have been recognized by independent health care practitioners worldwide as “best-in-class” in terms of safety, efficacy and overall clinical performance. In terms of market size, it has been reported by the American Pain Association that health care expenses, lost work time and reduced productivity due to pain, costs the US medical system approximately $100 billion annually. In order to help alleviate their pain, Americans consume annually in excess of $20 billion of pain medications and according to a recent study 42% felt that pain medications were ineffective in relieving their pain, allowing a minimum $8.4 billion annual market opportunity for Theralase. Our corporate mandate is to capture less than 1% of this underserved market achieving annual revenues of $50 million in a recurring revenue model within the next 5 years. Theralase intends to capitalize on this market through the direct sales, marketing and international distribution of our growing platform of laser technologies; including our flagship TLC-1000 product and soon to be released TLC-2000 product”.
Mr. Dumoulin-White added, “In the current decade, oncology has been one of the most important growth segments among the biotechnology and pharmaceutical markets. The global cancer drug market alone is expected to surpass $US78 billion in 2012. Theralase has recently made significant advances in the research and development of its  novel  patented Photo Dynamic Compounds (PDCs) in terms of cancer destruction that are laying the groundwork for Health Canada and FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) applications, anticipated to be submitted in 2013. The potential market for our advanced PDT technology platform for the first targeted clinical indication of bladder cancer in the US alone is over $3.5 billion annually. Our mandate is to partner the PDC technology after FDA Phase 2 clinical approval, expected within the next 3 to 5 years and to successfully negotiate a royalty agreement for the worldwide distribution of this technology, commencing immediately after formal regulatory Health Canada and FDA approval, expected within the next 5 to 7 years.  Due to the lack of clinical research and advances in the field of bladder cancer treatment over the last 16 years, Theralase is confident that our advanced PDC approach could quickly gain sizable market share with the right pharma partner in this underserved market. Our mandate is to capture 10% of this market with our pharma partner and through royalty revenue generate recurring revenue in excess of $50 million annually.”Mr. Dumoulin-White concluded by stating that, “Theralase’s mandate is to build both the TLT and PDT divisions into separate $50 million annual recurring revenue models within the next 5 to 7 years.”
About Theralase Technologies Inc.
Theralase Technologies Inc., founded in 1995, designs, develops, manufactures and markets patented, superpulsed laser technology utilized in biostimulation and biodestruction applications. Theralase technology is safe and effective in treating pain, inflammation and for tissue regeneration of neural muscular skeletal conditions and tissue healing in both humans and animals. Theralase also develops patented Photo Dynamic Compound (PDC) technology focused at targeting and destroying cancers, bacteria and viruses when light activated by Theralase’s proprietary and patented laser technologies.
For further information please visit www.theralase.com , regulatory filings may be viewed by visiting www.sedar.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements which reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those projected herein. The Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchanges) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For More Information
Roger Dumoulin-White                                                                                   
President & CEO,                       
416-447-8455 ext. 225                                          
rwhite@theralase.com            

Greg Bewsh
Director of Investor Relations,
416-447-8455 ext. 262

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Theralase to Be Featured on “The Next Biggest Winner” Business TV Series


Toronto, Ontario – August 14, 2012, Theralase Technologies Inc. (TSX-V: TLT) announced today that it is will be featured on “The Next Biggest Winner”, a television series devoted to discovering undervalued companies with the ability to grow significantly in shareholder value and become a big winner as an investment opportunity.
The TV show, "The Next Biggest Winner," which showcases companies with significant growth potential is scheduled to air its in-depth interview with Roger Dumoulin-White, President and CEO of Theralase Technologies Inc. on the iChannel, Tuesday, August 14th at 7:30pm. The iChannel has over 1.3 million affluent Canadian subscribers who look to its business programming for new investment opportunities. For an advance preview, please visit http://www.thenextbiggestwinner.com/theralase-technologies-inc/ .
Roger Dumoulin-White, President and CEO of Theralase stated, “Being recognized by “The Next Biggest Winner” underscores the unlocked value and growth potential of Theralase in the near term. The Company has made impressive strides in the development of both our therapeutic laser therapy medical device business and our cancer therapy business.” Mr. Dumoulin-White went on to say that “Investor, shareholder and customer communication is one of our key mandates for the second half of 2012. In addition to our news releases, Theralase will publish a quarterly newsletter and has created active social media pages on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and communicate weekly via a Theralase Blog.” Please visit www.Twitter.com/theralase, www.Facebook.com/theralase, www.LinkedIn.com/theralase and www.Blogspot.com/theralase to review these sites.
To our investors, shareholders, customers and friends of Theralase our 2011 Annual Report is online at our corporate website at http://www.theralase.com/documents/theralase_2011_annual_report_2011.pdf  and is filed on SEDAR.
About Theralase Technologies Inc.
Theralase Technologies Inc., founded in 1995, designs, develops, manufactures and markets patented, superpulsed laser technology utilized in biostimulation and biodestruction applications. Theralase technology is safe and effective in treating pain, inflammation and for tissue regeneration of neural muscular skeletal conditions and tissue healing in both humans and animals. Theralase develops patented Photo Dynamic Compound (PDC) technology focused at targeting and destroying cancers, bacteria and viruses when light activated by Theralase’s proprietary and patented laser technologies.

For further information please visit www.theralase.com , regulatory filings may be viewed by visiting www.sedar.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements which reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those projected herein. The Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchanges) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For More Information
Roger Dumoulin-White                                                                                   
President & CEO,                       
416-447-8455 ext. 225                                          
rwhite@theralase.com            

Greg Bewsh
Director of Investor Relations,
416-447-8455 ext. 262

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Quest for a wonder drug started with shrew bait


First, he lured shrews into his backyard with No Name-brand pepperoni. Then, he extracted their venom-laced saliva.
Now Jack Stewart, a Sackville, N.B.-based biochemist-turned-biotechnology entrepreneur, is about to start a human trial for a drug developed from a compound found in shrew spit that could treat ovarian, breast and prostate cancers without many of the side effects of chemotherapy.
It’s an unusual discovery – others knew the saliva had paralytic properties and Dr. Stewart had originally hoped to develop a pain medication. But when he studied the compound in the spit more closely, he found potential cancer-fighting qualities.
Like all new drugs bearing the weight of great expectations, Dr. Stewart’s shrew-saliva spinoff faces long odds. Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) set a high bar for approval. The cost of executing clinical trials can be prohibitive, and even if a medicine does reach the market, the competition from other drugs is fierce.
“Starting from a drug conceptually that’s entering preclinical testing in an animal model and following that through to a licensed drug, the fall-off is considerable,” said Ralph Meyer, director of the National Cancer Institute of Canada’s clinical trials groups.
But the novelty of the source of the drug – called soricidin, the compound found in the shrew saliva – and the fact that it could treat three types of cancers has been enough to take Dr. Stewart to this stage. In a few weeks, his company, Soricimed Biopharma Inc., plans to start its first clinical trial on patients in the United States and Canada. There are three phases of human trials, each more rigorous – and expensive – than the last.
Dr. Stewart hopes the trial will prove his drug is a viable alternative to chemotherapy. Unlike chemo, which takes a carpet-bombing approach and kills healthy cells along with cancerous ones, soricidin works in a slower, less destructive way, he said.
Ovarian, breast and prostate cancers produce high numbers of a certain type of calcium channel that feed calcium to cancer cells and allows them to proliferate. The soricidin works to plug the calcium pipeline, which eventually leads to death of the cancer cells.
“It’s a resetting of the cancer cell rather than a poisoning of it,” Dr. Stewart explained. “We leave it to the cancer cell to kill itself.”
Simply getting the soricidin was a challenge, Dr. Stewart said. He tried everything from peanut butter to seeds to trap shrews in his backyard, all of which failed. One morning, though, his traps were filled with the critters. It turns out discount pepperoni brings all the shrews to the yard.
Since Dr. Stewart said there are “not enough shrews on the planet” to produce sufficient soricidin for his trials, his team developed a synthetic, which was used during animal testing and will soon be administered in human trials.
While Soricimed celebrates reaching the human-trial stage, it has many obstacles to clear before its drug can reach the market.
From 2004 to 2011, only 6.7 per cent of the oncology drugs that made it to the first phase of clinical trial were eventually approved by the FDA for sale, according to data tracked by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, a Washington-based trade association. For all other drugs, the approval rate was nearly double.
“It’s difficult to structure and run [oncology drug] trials with clear, robust criteria for success,” said Veronika Litinski, a senior adviser in life sciences and health-care practice at the MaRS Centre in Toronto.
With HIV drugs, she says, researchers look at the viral load before and after the drug is administered – the results are easily measurable. Whereas in cancer drug testing, they rely on survival rates. Did the drug extend the life of a patient by a few months? A year? What was the quality of life for the patient during that year? Did the side effects offset the benefits?
Even if its first trial is a success, Soricimed will need to round up cash to proceed with more trials since it has only raised $11-million so far through private investors and federal government programs.
The anticipated cost of the first human trial is $2.5-million, said Paul Gunn, Soricimed’s chief executive officer. For phase 2, the company will have to shell out anywhere between $4-million and $40-million. The third trial could come with a price tag of more than $100-million.
The small company hopes to partner with a larger pharmaceutical or biotech company after phase 1, Mr. Gunn said.
Even if soricidin were approved by Health Canada or the FDA, it would still face an array of challenges. The way a drug is marketed, the competition it faces and the willingness of provincial health authorities to fund it all play into how well a new medicine does.
“[Soricimed] has cleared a lot of hurdles to get to phase 1,” Dr. Meyer said, “but they still have a lot to get through.”

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

How to Grow Your Laser Business Through Social Media Marketing


Wednesday, August 22, 2012 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT

Webinar Registration

Below are a few items that you will learn during the Webinar:

Acquire new patients for your business
Establish yourself as an authority in your field
Use Social Media to promote your business
Manage your online reputation
Set yourself apart from the competition
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