22-10-2005
--- MFIC Corporation (Symbol OTCBB: MFIC) has signed
a research and collaboration agreement with The University
of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) to develop new applications,
processes and products in the area of nanomaterials
utilizing MFIC's leading-edge materials processing
and chemical reactor equipment (the "Collaboration").
Microfluidics, the operating subsidiary of MFIC, will provide a Microfluidizer(R)
Processor and the new-generation Microfluidizer(R) Multiple Stream Mixer/Reactor
(MMR) lab system, to be located on the UML campus. The MMR is one of only two
advanced, fully equipped systems of its kind in existence, having a current
value of $350,000. With the processor valued at $100,000, plus the provision
of technical and financial support to projects, the MFIC contribution is valued
at more than $545,000.
Research will proceed under the direction of the Nanomanufacturing
Center of Excellence (NCOE) at UML.
"We expect the Microfluidics equipment will become key manufacturing platforms
for high throughput nanomanufacturing," says Prof. Julie Chen, director of the
NCOE. "Researchers on campus and across industry sectors are interested in exploring
nanoparticle production that is scalable from experimental quantities to production
amounts, with consistency and stability."
Irwin Gruverman, CEO and Chairman of MFIC, stated "We welcome this opportunity
to collaborate with the substantial formulation and engineering strengths at
UML. Our Microfluidizer(R) Processor equipment and the technology embodied
therein is well-proven in thousands of instances and hundreds of applications,
many in nanomaterials-based uses. The MMR chemical reactors, while relatively
new, have demonstrated their ability to perform continuous chemical reactions
in varied applications which yield, with unparalleled precision, controlled
size, purity, product uniformity and pharmacokinetic properties. These innovative
systems can enable many UML projects to produce nanomaterials for, among others,
pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulations. We intend to take an active
role in the selection and validation of specific Collaboration project targets
as members of the Steering Committee that will guide the Collaboration."
MFIC and the University have ongoing research collaborations. UML faculty researchers
have been using the Microfluidizer materials processing equipment for significant
recent research. Prof. Robert Nicolosi, director of the Center for Health and
Disease Research, who has used Microfluidics equipment in the development of
nutraceuticals focusing on plant sterols, is developing compounds for medical
applications; Prof. Carl Lawton, director of the Massachusetts Bioprocess Development
Center, assists biotechnology companies in their process development.
The Microfluidizer Processor systems, use a "fixed geometry" interaction chamber
to force liquid streams through microchannels at extremely high pressure and
velocity, and then to collide them. The resultant collision and high shear
yields nanoscale particles in stable dispersions or emulsions used in a wide
variety of applications such as pharmaceuticals, ink-jet inks and coatings.
In biotechnology, the processor is ideal for "cell disruption": puncturing
cell membranes to isolate and harvest the desired protein products within while
minimizing required post-disruption processing.
Microfluidics' patented Multiple Stream Chemical Reactor performs fast, continuous
chemical reactions in an ultraturbulent environment. Rather than starting with
a premixed formulation, as is the standard practice for the Microfluidizer
Processor systems, researchers can introduce two or more streams of pure starting
reactant materials to create nanostructures under total control and in production
quantities. The technology achieves unprecedented control of nanostructure
size and uniformity. Applications may include superconductors, drug reformulations,
catalysts, photographic emulsions and making highly durable ceramics.
Under the agreement, UML and MFIC will work together to explore and develop
applications and new products - using this breakthrough technology - that can
move rapidly to commercialization. The Collaboration will benefit both parties
through the arrangements for intellectual property, patent rights and licensing
royalties.
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About the University of Massachusetts Lowell:
The University of Massachusetts Lowell, a comprehensive university with special
expertise in applied science and technology, is committed to educating students
for lifelong success and conducting research and outreach activities that
sustain the economic, environmental and social health of the region. UML
offers its 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students more than 80 degree
programs in the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and Management;
the School of Health and Environment, and the Graduate School of Education.
For more information, please click here
About MFIC Corporation:
MFIC Corporation, through its Microfluidics subsidiary, provides patented and
proprietary high performance Microfluidizer(R) materials processing equipment
to the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemical, cosmetics/personal care,
and food industries. MFIC applies its 20 years of high pressure processing
experience to produce the most uniform and smallest liquid and suspended
solid structures available, and has provided manufacturing systems for nanoparticle
products for more than 15 years. The Company is a leader in advanced materials
processing equipment for laboratory, pilot scale and manufacturing applications,
offering innovative technology and comprehensive solutions for nanoparticles
and other materials processing and production. More than 3,000 systems are
in use and afford significant competitive and economic advantages to MFIC
equipment customers.
For more information, please click here
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT:
Management believes that this release contains forward-looking statements that
are subject to certain risks and uncertainties including statements relating
to the Company's prospective receipt of patents or royalty income, plan to
attain and/or increase operating profitability and/or to achieve net profitability.
Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject
to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results achieved
by the Company to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking
statements. The Company cautions investors that there can be no assurance that
the actual results or business conditions will not differ materially from those
projected or suggested in such forward-looking statements as a result of various
factors, including but not limited to the following risks and uncertainties:
(i) whether any intellectual property or patents will be developed in the collaboration
with University of Massachusetts Lowell, (ii) whether any licensing income
or royalties will be received as a result of the collaboration with University
of Massachusetts Lowell, (iii) whether the performance advantages of the Company's
Microfluidizer(R) materials processing equipment or that a commercial market
for the equipment will continue to develop, (iv) whether the performance advantages
of the Company's MMR nanoparticle production systems will be realized commercially,
(v) whether the Company will be able to increase its market penetration and
market share, (vi) whether the timing of orders will significantly affect quarterly
revenues and resulting net income results for particular quarters which may
cause increased volatility in the Company's stock price, and (vii) whether
the Company will have access to sufficient working capital through continued
and improving cash flow from sales, proceeds from its private placement equity
offering, and ongoing borrowing availability, the latter being subject to the
Company's ability to comply with the covenants and terms of its loan agreement
with its senior lender.
Contact:
Rik Richter
Phone: 212-782-2023
Fax: 212-782-2122
ewinter@hapoalimusa.com
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