PediaMed Acquires Multisite Drug Delivery Platform Offering Multiple Delivery Modes.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

FLORENCE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 17, 2003

New Versatile Delivery System Expands Drug Development Capability

PediaMed Pharmaceuticals announced today the acquisition of the patent-pending Multisite Drug Delivery Platform (MDDP). MDDP technology ensures therapeutic-dose accuracy throughout multiple drug-delivery methods including flavored medication lozenges, which can be a lollipop-like format, for oral-transmucosal and/or gastrointestinal oral-absorption delivery; chewable or easy-to-swallow tablets for gastrointestinal absorption; or suppository for rectal absorption. PediaMed will utilize this multiple drug-delivery system for pediatric uses and may out-license MDDP technology for other non-pediatric therapies.

MDDP enables medications to serve the varied needs of physicians, parents and pediatric patients, so that a prescription for a specific medication can be made available through different administration routes - depending on the medical or emotional needs of the child. Parents need not return to the pediatrician's office if their child is unable to take the prescribed medication orally. Instead, a child vomiting and unable to swallow or chew the tablet prescription form, can benefit from therapy using the same medication - at an equivalent dose -- delivered as a flavored lollipop or rectal suppository.

"We are committed to becoming the best pediatrics company in the world, and MDDP technology helps us move closer toward this goal," said Cameron Durrant, MD, President, PediaMed Pharmaceuticals. "This new drug-delivery system enhances our ability to develop and commercialize new, innovative pediatric drugs - to improve existing products and make possible medicines that require multiple administration routes," he added.

"When children cannot take their medication, therapy fails - the MDDP ensures that needed medications are delivered. Sick children and their parents often struggle during the administration of medications", stated MDDP co-inventor Gilbert Gonzales, MD. "The ability to deliver medication promptly in every medical situation - and considering the child's emotional state - is a boon to good patient care and supports improved compliance."

PediaMed sector focus and its ability in the marketing and sales of pediatric medications are enabling the company to strengthen its position as a partner of choice for pharmaceutical companies. The acquisition of this technology will further build PediaMed's in-house drug development capabilities, while supporting its concentration in assisting physicians and parents in delivering therapy to their small charges through education and medications that enable "kidpliance."

About PediaMed

A company devoted exclusively to the health of children, PediaMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. identifies, develops and markets prescription pharmaceutical and select over-the-counter medicines that improve the health and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Florence, Kentucky, PediaMed is a member of the Union Springs Portfolio of companies, which also includes Xanodyne Pharmacal (Florence, KY) and Integrity Pharmaceuticals (Indianapolis, IN).

For more information, visit the PediaMed Web site at www.pediamedpharma.com.