ISSYS and Wayne State University Receive Funds for Development of Novel Implantable Wireless Pressure Sensors for Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure.

YPSILANTI, Mich. -- Integrated Sensing Systems, Inc. (ISSYS) in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and Wayne State University (WSU) in Detroit, Michigan have announced today that they have been awarded a grant from the Michigan Technology Tri-Corridor Fund (MTTC) for "Congestive Heart Failure Monitoring Using an Improved Wireless Intraventricular Pressure Sensor". The MTTC award over the next two years provides 50% of the funding required for this $2,000,000 project, with ISSYS and WSU each providing the remaining 25%.

This collaborative effort specifically targets the effective treatment of patients with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) disease. Many experts consider CHF to be the largest emerging medical device market with NIH stating that CHF is a new epidemic in the U.S. It affects about 5 million U.S. patients and causes more than 450,000 new cases per year. CHF accounts for 978,000 or 5-10% of all hospitalizations in the U.S. and is the most common discharge diagnosis among patients over 65 years. Survival is poor since 20% of patients die within the first year, and 50% within five years. Treatment of CHF is very expensive, costing $38 billion annually in the U.S.

Dr. Nader Najafi, President and CEO of ISSYS stated that, "We greatly appreciate the support from the State of Michigan, Michigan Economy Development Corporation (MEDC) and the MTTC program. We are excited about collaborating with such a world-class team from WSU. This collaboration will result in novel diagnostic and therapeutic methods that greatly improve CHF treatment by dynamically tailoring the medication via monitoring through frequent and non-invasive heart measurements using the proposed technology. This project will save hundreds of thousands of lives and will improve the quality of life for many Americans."

Dr. Charles Shanley, Chief of the Division of Vascular Surgery at the Detroit Medical Center and Associate Professor of Surgery at WSU School of Medicine, also stated that, "We are very pleased to work with the leading edge technology offered by ISSYS in hopes of someday improving the lives of patients suffering from Congestive Heart Failure. The comprehensive team of WSU and ISSYS provide the framework for collaboration necessary to push the frontiers of MEMS technology toward important biomedical solutions."

ISSYS Background: ISSYS is a leader in advanced micromachining technologies for medical devices, microfluidic and scientific analytical sensing applications used in the development of drug infusion pumps and wireless, implantable sensing systems. Founded in 1995 by world renowned leaders in MEMS technology, ISSYS is one of the oldest independent MEMS companies in the United States. An ISO 9001:2000 certified organization, ISSYS operates an "everything under one roof" multi-million-dollar, state-of-the-art Bio-MEMS fabrication facility located near Ann Arbor, Michigan. For more company, product and service information, please visit http://www.mems-issys.com/.

WSU Background: WSU is Michigan's only urban research university, fulfilling a unique niche in providing access to a world-class education. With $200 million in annual research expenditures, WSU ranks in the top 50 nationally among public universities, according to the NSF. The WSU School of Medicine is nationally recognized for its biomedical research, reflecting the efforts of a talented faculty located among 25 basic and clinical departments. Strong programmatic emphasis is placed upon the integration of the basic and clinical sciences through interdisciplinary research, which has led to the creation of several university designated institutes and centers. For more information please visit http://www.med.wayne.edu.

MTTC Background: Michigan's Technology Tri-Corridor fosters growth in advanced automotive technologies, homeland security and life science industries through funding and resource collaboration, focusing on emerging technology sectors. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) awarded $27.3 million to 24 life sciences projects in the 2005 MTTC Fund competition. Winners of the competitive, peer-reviewed process include researchers at Michigan public universities and entrepreneurs working to commercialize technology-based products that have potential to enhance and extend the lives of people throughout the world. For more information about the MTTC please visit: http://medc.michigan.org/ttc/tricorridor/.