With 1st NanoTitanium Dental Implant in U.S.
U.S. Senator Tom Udall to Officially Kick-Off Production of FDA-Approved Product;
Events Herald Fundamental Advance in Prosthetics and Medical Device Industry
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Oct. 11, 2010 – The first FDA-approved dental implant made with nanotitanium, a metal that is stronger than conventional alloys and integrates much more quickly with human bone, will be installed Thursday, Oct. 14 , 2 p.m. in the mouth of the scientist who helped develop it. Dr. Terry Lowe, chief scientist at technology incubator and commercialization company Manhattan Scientifics, Inc. (OTC: MHTX), will receive the 10-minute, nanotitanium implant procedure to replace a molar.
The implant is manufactured and distributed by BASIC Dental in Albuquerque, N.M. under a non-exclusive license limited to dental implants. Manhattan Scientifics has also issued a broader exclusive license to an established Fortune 1000 company to cover other medical and non-medical applications for the new class of metals.
Nanotitanium is the product of a collaboration of American scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory and Russian scientists to repurpose weapons technology for peaceful means, and according to co-inventor Dr. Lowe, a breakthrough advancement for the prosthetics and medical device industry.
“The new metal is not only a stronger material but it allows for integration with human bone in half the amount of time compared to conventional metals,” commented Dr. Lowe. “For patients receiving this new generation of medical implant, the result is faster post-surgery healing as well as replacement devices that are more reliable and longer lasting.”
Dr. Lowe added that the major advantage of nanotitanium is that it is not an alloy but rather enhanced, pure titanium that is modified to match human bone. “No fancy coatings or special alloys are needed—which is why we expect it to outlast conventional implants,” he said. Lowe added that it’s also much easier for dentists to work with than conventional alloy implants.
Official Start of Production
Thursday’s procedure will be followed by a press conference Friday, October 15, 1 p.m. to announce the official start of the production and sales of nanostructured titanium. Held at a dental implant fabrication facility in Albuquerque, N.M., participants will include the Honorable Thomas Udall, U.S. Senator (New Mexico), who will officially start the fabrication machinery that is producing the nanotitanium implants. Among other things, Senator Udall will discuss the leadership role that New Mexico has played in incubating the new technology and the positive impact it has had – and will continue to have – on the regional economy.
Additional attendees will include officials from the Los Alamos National Lab, as well as the Department of Energy.
Significant Market and Shifting Skills
“We’re living longer and we need new parts” said Marvin Maslow, Manhattan Scientifics’ Founder and Chairman Emeritus. “Manhattan Scientifics is in the new parts business and it is a big business. The current worldwide dental implant market is estimated to be between $2-3 billion, and the potential for this new product is significant. It’s a major milestone that heralds the beginning of a new era for the prosthetics and medical device industry,” said Maslow.
According to Regina Carter, Director of the Global Initiative for Proliferation Prevention at the Department of Energy, which provided financial support in the development of nanotitanium, the event highlights the success in shifting the skills of former weapons technologists to create new products that will help improve the quality of life for many people as well as provide international economic benefits. “In short, we’ve made good on a promise to beat swords into plowshares,” she said.
EVENT INFORMATION
Thursday, October 14, 2 p.m. (MT)
Manhattan Scientifics Dental Procedure
to install the first nanotitanium implant into the mouth of co-inventor, Dr. Terry Lowe
The Office of Steven Holbrook, 8228 Louisiana Blvd NE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87113
Friday, October 15, 1 p.m. (MT)
Manhattan Scientifics Press Conference
to announce the official start of the production and sales of nanostructured titanium
Esthetic Dental Arts Inc, 4630 Eubank, Albuquerque, N.M. (1.5 blocks north of Montgomery)
