Dec 9 2008
Manhattan Scientifics (Pink Sheets:MHTX) today announced that its affiliated manufacturing partner in Albuquerque, N.M. has received Food and Drug Administration 510(k) clearance to market Manhattan Scientifics’ super strong titanium metal dental implants.
This clearance positions the company closer to its goal of commercializing its technology and increasing shareholder value. The patented new form of titanium metal originally developed by Russian scientists in concert with scientists at the Los Alamos National Laboratory is expected to significantly improve dental implants. Studies have shown that bone integrates with these new metals up to 20 times faster than with conventional metals. Patients should experience shorter post surgery healing times and a more reliable integration of these new implants into their body.
Manhattan Scientifics Chief Scientist Terry Lowe said, "The $2 billion annual dental implant wholesale market is 10% the size of the market for other medical devices (for example hips, spinal devices and cardiovascular stents) that can benefit from the advantages of our advanced metals." The key manufacturers of dental implants include Nobel Biocare Holding AG (SWX:NOBN), Straumann Holding AG (SWX:STMN), Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZMH; SWX: ZMH), DENTSPLY International, Inc. (NasdaqGS: XRAY), Biomet, Inc. and Thommen Medical AG. Manhattan Scientifics anticipates developing additional products based on this new titanium metal for use in orthopedics and stents.