COLUMBIA, MD -- 01/22/08 --
Link Plus Corporation announced today that it
has formed a subsidiary called Link Plus BioTech, Inc. to focus on public
health related applications of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs)
technology for the specific detection, binding, and separation of viruses.
The creation of Link Plus BioTech results from the exclusive license
agreement with the University of Maryland for the technology. The parent
company, Link Plus Corporation, will remain focused on the homeland
security applications of this latest MIPs technology.
Robert L. Jones, Jr. was named the Chairman and CEO of Link Plus BioTech.
Dr. Peter Kofinas, Professor, Associate Chair, and Director of Graduate
Studies in University of Maryland's Fischell Department of Bioengineering,
was named as Link Plus BioTech's Chief Technology Officer.
Kofinas is widely regarded as the leading research scientist in the field
of applying MIPs technology to biological threats. He and his team at the
University have successfully detected viruses using the MIPs technology and
sensor systems that have the ability to be commercially deployed. Future
research by Link Plus BioTech will expand on the breadth of viruses which
can be detected and extend the technology to a myriad of
antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including MRSA.
"Dr. Kofinas and his colleagues at the University of Maryland pioneered the
use of MIPs technology in biotech, and we are happy to bring Peter on board
as we launch Link Plus BioTech," said Robert L. Jones, Jr., CEO of Link
Plus BioTech. "The creation of Link Plus BioTech allows us to establish a
sharp focus on the application of MIPs for public health related needs. For
example, a dialysis system can be developed consisting of custom
synthesized molecularly imprinted polymers packaged into plastic discs
(cartridges) that are compatible with commercially available blood
screening dialysis and hemodialysis devices. This will enable hospitals,
clinics, and other healthcare organizations to turn existing dialysis,
hemodialysis, or blood analysis systems into virus removal systems capable
of lowering the viral load (concentration of virus) in patients with HIV,
Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or other blood-borne viruses by the direct
removal of viruses from the bloodstream. While this is not a cure, it
should aid in treatment of these diseases.
In another example, MIPs technology could lower the cost of vaccine
production. When a vaccine is produced, the viral particles needed to make
the vaccine must be separated from the biomass in which they reside.
Currently, this is an expensive, time consuming, and difficult process.
This could be accomplished inexpensively by filtering the biomass through a
MIPs hydrogel, which would trap only what is needed to make the vaccine
while letting the debris pass through."
Dr. Kofinas commented that "Mr. Jones has the business expertise and I have
the technical knowledge to convert the technology into a marketable
product." Dr. Kofinas co-invented and developed the technology with Ph.D
student Daniel Janiak at the University of Maryland.
About Link Plus BioTech, Inc.
The detection and separation of viruses and virus-like particles
(non-infectious virus analogs) from medically relevant media represents an
enormous challenge to the fields of medicine, healthcare, and
biotechnology. The goal of Link Plus BioTech, Inc. is to provide novel,
low-cost, high-throughput devices for the separation of viruses and
virus-like particles. This will be achieved through extensive research and
development efforts with the ultimate goal of continuously developing
products and devices to aid in the management, treatment, and diagnosis of
viruses.
The exclusive licenses and relationships with the University of Maryland
and The Johns Hopkins University for MIPs technology that are held by the
parent company Link Plus Corporation, provides Link Plus BioTech, Inc. and
its parent with unique access to the research and development capabilities
of two outstanding research institutions.
This news release includes "forward-looking statements" as that term is
defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause results to
differ materially from those set forth in the statements. The
forward-looking statements may include statements regarding product
development, product potential or financial performance. No forward-looking
statement can be guaranteed, and actual results may differ materially from
those projected.
Link Plus Corporation and Link Plus BioTech, Inc. headquarters are located
in Columbia, MD. Further information is available at
http://www.linkplus.com (410) 953-7177.
Robert L. Jones, Jr.
Chairman and CEO
Link Plus BioTech, Inc.
(410)-953-7177
rjones@linkplus.com
