ANFIM (http://www.anfim.com/) was formed in 1997 with the mission of promoting and protecting public health through the advancement of needle-free injection technology. The organization provides exposure, education and information to healthcare, pharmaceutical, health insurance and consumer groups regarding the potential value of needle-free delivery systems. The organization also seeks affiliations with other groups that are intent on discovering safer healthcare technologies that reduce the potential for sharps injuries.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Kasprick said, "I am delighted with this opportunity and hope to build from the strong foundation established by my predecessor, Linda D'Antonio from DCI. As a group, we will be striving to gain further awareness and support for needle-free technologies that offer the benefit of improved safety with the elimination of potential needle-stick injuries as well as greater patient acceptance of injection therapy."
Industry experts (Greystone Associates, June 2003) forecast needle-free injection sales of $425 million by 2007, compared to just $10.3 million in 2002. This growth is expected to occur initially in the self-injection market (insulin, hGh, etc.) and later will be evidenced in healthcare practitioner segments (vaccines, DNA-based and protein-based medications). Mr. Kasprick added, "We expect our participation in and support of ANFIM to lead to greater opportunities within this growing market for all needle-free injection manufacturers, promoting our diverse technologies to pharma companies in an effort to provide patients less invasive and more convenient methods to administer their medications."
In addition to Mr. Kasprick from Antares Pharma, other officers and board members elected to ANFIM include representatives from Bioject Medical Technologies, DCI, Felton International, The Medical House PLC, Aradigm, Eli Lilly and Company and PATH (Program for Appropriate Technology in Health).
About Antares Pharma
Antares Pharma develops specialty pharmaceutical products, including needle-free and mini-needle injector systems, transdermal gel technologies, and fast-melt oral tablet technology. These delivery systems are designed to improve both the efficiency of drug therapies and the patient's quality of life. The Company currently distributes its needle-free injector systems in more than 20 countries. In addition, Antares Pharma conducts research and development with transdermal gel products and currently has several products in clinical evaluation with partners in the U.S. and Europe. The Company is also conducting ongoing research to create new products that combine various elements of the Company's technology portfolio. Antares Pharma has established collaborations with 13 pharmaceutical and distribution companies for a number of indications and applications, including diabetes, growth disorders, obesity, female sexual dysfunction and other hormone therapy. Antares Pharma has corporate headquarters in Exton, Pennsylvania, with manufacturing and research facilities in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and research facilities in Basel, Switzerland.
Statements included in this press release that are not historical in nature are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company cautions readers that forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially and which are identified from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Antares Pharma claims the protection of the Safe Harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
For more information, visit Antares Pharma's web site at http://www.antarespharma.com/. Information included on the Company's website is not incorporated herein by reference or otherwise.
Antares Pharma, Inc.
© 2004 PR Newswire
