BioDtech Signs Worldwide Licensing Agreement for New Technology to Quickly Detect & Remove Bacterial Toxins; Potential Impact on Healthcare, Hygiene, Homeland Security & Bacterial Warfare.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- National University of Singapore Grants Exclusive Agreement to Nashville Firm; Singapore Scientists Traveling to Nashville to Support Launch

BioDtech, Inc. has announced its exclusive worldwide agreement with the National University of Singapore (NUS) for the use and further development of new technology that will quickly detect, neutralize and remove endotoxin. Endotoxin is a potent fever producing compound associated with the physiological symptoms of bacterial infections which cost the healthcare industry over $17 billion annually.

BioDtech officials point out that this exceptional new technology will have very important advantages over current methods: it is more specific in its detection of endotoxin, and greatly reduces false-negative or false-positive readings. In addition, it reads information at a faster rate than current technologies which are more time consuming to operate, costly to purchase, and require extensive training to operate.

This technology could also assist in the rapid detection of bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella, quickly detect endotoxin in the home attributed to respiratory disease, and in the workplace. The National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety may establish and regulate acceptable levels of endotoxin for the workplace in the near future. With the ever present threat of terrorism, officials say this technology could become a major asset in the detection of bacteria used in biomedical warfare.

Currently, the Food and Drug Administration requires that all injectable drugs and implantable medical devices be measured for endotoxin. In hospital emergency rooms, this rapid, user-friendly endotoxin measurement technology could facilitate early diagnosis of Sepsis, thus greatly improve on the current 28 percent death rate. Sepsis is a syndrome characterized by an overwhelming systemic response to infection, which can rapidly lead to organ dysfunction and ultimately death. Severe Sepsis strikes hard and takes lives quickly. More than 750,000 cases of severe sepsis occur annually in the U.S. causing the death of 215,000 people. The hospital cost of treating patients with severe sepsis in the U.S. is approximately $17 billion each year. In addition, BioDtech will investigate the use of its technology to treat microbial infections associated with Cystic Fibrosis and AIDS.

"We are very excited to be licensing partners with NUS, helping to advance our company's detection platform," said Michael Pepe, Ph.D., President and CEO of BioDtech. "This licensing agreement will allow us to develop novel products for medical, diagnostic and industrial uses. Our products will permit the direct detection and identification of biological toxins, resulting in faster, simpler and more accurate measurements. Future applications of this promising technology range from other infectious disease detection to possible applications for Homeland Security.

"I anticipate that BioDtech will pursue a vigorous research and development program that will move the invention from a prototype to production phase within three to six months," said Dr. Pepe. "When delivered these products will be an enhancement to those currently available in the marketplace".

Technology transfer officers at NUS' Industry & Technology Relations Office are highly pleased that BioDtech recognizes this high-growth opportunity in the endotoxin detection, removal and neutralization markets. Commenting on the licensing agreement, Professor Jacob Phang, CEO of NUS Enterprise and Director of INTRO, said: "NUS is home to many world-class research groups. Professors Ding Jeak Ling and Ho Bow repeatedly prove that University research can be used for real world applications. INTRO constantly seeks opportunities to work with interested parties to commercialize University research results to address the needs of society and benefit the community." The NUS scientists who invented the technology will travel to Nashville to attend a BioDtech investor reception later this month.

About BioDtech, Inc.

BioDtech is an exciting biotechnology company currently developing a set of products initially targeted to the research and bioprocess markets. A detection device utilizing some of these products is in development. These products will add value across a broad range of industrial and medical applications where high quality, rapid quantitative and qualitative results are required. Founded in 2003, BioDtech is located in Nashville, Tennessee. For additional information, please visit www.biodtechinc.com or email [e-mail].

About NUS Enterprise

In support of the National University of Singapore's (NUS) drive towards becoming a leading entrepreneurial university, the NUS Enterprise Cluster was set up to inject an enterprise dimension to NUS teaching and research involving NUS students, staff and alumni. NUS Enterprise is also the University's Free Enterprise Zone where innovation and creativity are freed from traditional rules, allowing greater flexibility and faster response.

NUS Enterprise aims to provide entrepreneurship education and nurture talents with a global mindset; identify, protect and commercialize intellectual property; nurture NUS spin-offs and start-ups; foster industrial collaboration; and facilitate the dissemination of NUS knowledge to the external community.

Units of the NUS Enterprise Cluster are the NUS Overseas Colleges, NUS Entrepreneurship Centre, NUS Industry & Technology Relations Office, NUS Venture Support, NUS Consulting, NUS Extension and NUS Publishing. Please refer to http://www.enterprise.nus.edu.sg for more details.