| LA JOLLA, CA (March 24, 2008)- Today, Instead | | | | the product later this year. It is, to date, the only |
| Sciences, Inc. announced that its microbicidal | | | | microbicidal candidate that has been cleared for |
| personal lubricant, Amphora, which has been | | | | this application. The promising results from clinical |
| cleared as safe for human use by the FDA, has | | | | studies that indicate Amphora may help prevent |
| shown promising results in clinical studies to also | | | | the spread of STD's and HIV indicate an even |
| prevent the contraction of certain sexually | | | | greater health benefit from its use. |
| transmitted diseases, including HSV (Herpes), | | | | According to a study conducted by Mt. Sinai |
| gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and HIV. In light of the | | | | researchers, Amphora has the ability to reduce |
| revealing report published earlier this month by the | | | | the infection rate of the Herpes Simplex Virus |
| Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stating that | | | | (HSV) by 99% after 30 minutes of exposure to |
| one in four teenagers has a sexually transmitted | | | | the microbicide. Amphora works as a bio-adhesive |
| infection, the announcement of a microbicide | | | | "acid buffering" gel that coats the vaginal wall and |
| which may prevent the spread of these diseases | | | | cervix, helping maintain a woman's natural pH level |
| is very encouraging. | | | | between 3.8 and 4.2, a level that has been proven |
| "Preventing the spread of STD's and HIV is | | | | in early clinical testing to render sperm immobile |
| unfortunately one of the largest ongoing battles | | | | and to inactivate most STI-causing organisms, |
| of our time, as is evidenced by last week's | | | | including herpes, Chlamydia, HSV, gonorrhea, and |
| alarming CDC report. With the youth of our | | | | HIV. |
| country at a greater risk for contracting sexually | | | | In light of the knowledge that many STD's, |
| transmitted diseases, it is becoming increasingly | | | | including HIV itself, are extremely fragile |
| important for us to develop preventive, | | | | (effectively killed by lemon juice, saliva, or even |
| over-the-counter products. Fortunately, research | | | | exposure to air ), the observations made in the |
| is proving this to be a real possibility in the form | | | | Mt. Sinai study bolster the hypothesis that |
| of topical microbicides," explains Joseph Pike, | | | | Amphora will have a similar effect in significantly |
| President/CEO of Instead Sciences Inc. | | | | reducing the infection rate of HIV and other |
| Amphora has already been FDA cleared for use in | | | | STD's, as was the case with the HSV testing. |
| humans as a lubricant, and Instead plans to launch | | | | |