- Deal includes design, development and clinical testing of MSN-2 medical device-related services
- Study-specific testing will center on sexually-transmitted infections (“STIs”)
- World Health Organization estimates that 357 million new STIs are contracted yearly
- Global diagnostic market for STIs projected at more than $200 billion by 2022
Earth Science Tech, Inc. (OTC: ETST), an innovative biotechnology company operating in the fields of hemp cannabinoid (CBD), nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and medical device research and development, has signed a deal with a private laboratory for clinical studies related to its MSN-2 medical device. The partnership, announced in a January 9 news release (http://ibn.fm/y8UOP), brings together ETST’s wholly owned subsidiary, Earth Science Pharmaceutical, Inc., and Laboratories BNK Canada Inc. (www.LaboBNK.com), in a partnership with significant clinical goals.
“We are on the cusp of making tremendous progress in our clinical trial efforts,” Dr. Michel Aubé, CEO and CSO of ETST, stated in a news release. “Our partnership with BNK will allow us to leverage the expertise of R&D veterans of many years, which will help us move more quickly, develop more products, cut costs, and ultimately, treat more patients.”
BNK’s team of professional scientists from pharmaceutical, clinical research and hospital settings will assist ETST in the design, development and validation of testing methods that meet all regulatory requirements. In addition, BNK will assist with the determination and development of study-specific tests for ETST clinical projects and bring expertise in clinical research project management to ensure that all trials run smoothly. This expertise will help the company maintain efficiency and reduce research and development costs.
Both companies are expressing an urgency for the work to quickly move forward. ETST has confirmed the MSN-2 device’s ability to detect chlamydia, and it is working to validate similar results for gonorrhea. ETST also plans to add testing for trichomoniasis, as well as a complete body fluid panel to detect the different serotypes of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes cervical cancer. Both are highly infectious sexually transmitted infections.
The World Health Organization estimates that there are an estimated 357 million new sexually transmitted infections each year that often carry permanent consequences for patients and society at large (http://ibn.fm/8zvXl). The World Health Organization now recommends that all pregnant women be tested for chlamydia, which has created a very large testing market. This partnership with BNK is expected to help ETST increase its total attainable market in this space and allow the company to commercialize its new testing services more quickly.
“We are extremely happy to be working with Earth Science Tech on their MSN-2 project,” said Dr. Gilles Brisson, BNK president and scientific director. “This project has the potential to completely change the way we look at sampling for STI infections and is certainly a positive development in women’s health around the world. This collaboration will be the fundamental driver for the success of this project.”
In a new study by Grand View Research Inc., the global market for STI diagnostic devices is forecast to be more than $200 billion by 2022 (http://ibn.fm/hhoYV). Key findings of the report state that, in 2014, chlamydia testing accounted for 34 percent of the market, with laboratory testing devices dominating and generating over $67 billion.
ETST now has the laboratory partner needed to support the company’s research and development efforts, along with the commercialization of its MSN-2 medical device, which has been specifically developed to support women’s health and the related molecular diagnostics to which women desperately need access, Aubé said.
“STIs can have severe consequences. It is very important to prevent spreading” he said. “For example, we can cure the Chlamydia infections, but any permanent damage done by the long-term infection will not be repaired.”
Earth Science Pharmaceutical, Inc. is focused on becoming a world leader in the development of low cost, non-invasive diagnostic tools, medical devices, testing processes and vaccines for sexually transmitted illnesses.
For more information, visit the company’s website at www.EarthSciencePharmaceutical.com
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