Echo Therapeutics Initiates Needle-Free Biosensor Program for Continuous Lactate Monitoring

FRANKLIN, Mass., Sept. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Echo Therapeutics, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: ECTE), a company developing its needle-free Symphony™ tCGM System as a non-invasive, wireless, transdermal continuous glucose monitoring system and its Prelude™ SkinPrep System for transdermal drug delivery, today announced that it is beginning a development program designed to create a new transdermal biosensor for continuous lactate monitoring to be used in critical care and sports medicine.  Echo is initiating this program based upon positive results seen in ex-vivo testing on humans undergoing exercise, using a needle-free continuous lactate monitoring biosensor.  

Lactate monitoring is important in diverse fields such as critical care medicine, sports medicine, exercise physiology and nutritional science.  In sports medicine, lactate threshold is an important indicator of muscular tolerance and, therefore, the performance of individual athletes.  Proper monitoring of lactate threshold will not only serve to increase performance but also decrease injuries for athletes.  Additionally, lactate monitoring is important in critically ill patients in shock as the amount of lactate produced is believed to correlate with oxygen deprivation, hypoperfusion, and the severity of shock.

"We are excited to begin yet another transdermal, continuous monitoring program, this one in lactate biosensing," stated Patrick T. Mooney, M.D., CEO, President and Chairman of the Board of Echo Therapeutics.  "Building upon the positive results that we have demonstrated with our initial indication of continuous glucose monitoring in critical care, continuous lactate monitoring is a logical extension of our research efforts. The initiation of this program demonstrates the robust platform our technology provides, extending well beyond the hospital and diabetes markets.  The results of our ex-vivo testing strongly suggest that we can effectively monitor lactate thresholds using our transdermal biosensor technology.  Leveraging our deep expertise in advanced skin permeation technology, we anticipate commencing additional programs over the coming year, building a significant pipeline of both transdermal biosensors and needle-free topical and systemic drug delivery products."

Dr. Mooney added, "Transdermal biosensors using our advanced skin permeation technology platform have the potential for significant and multiple applications.  With these results and our knowledge of the critical care market, lactate biosensing is an obvious addition to Echo's product development program.  We look forward to updating investors on all our programs, importantly on Symphony tCGM in the near future."  

About Echo Therapeutics

Echo is currently developing the Symphony tCGM System as a non-invasive, wireless, transdermal continuous glucose monitoring system for patients with diabetes and for use in hospital critical care units. Echo is also developing its needle-free Prelude SkinPrep System as a platform technology for enhanced skin permeation for delivery of topical pharmaceuticals.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

The statements in this press release that are not historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Those risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks related to regulatory approvals and the success of Echo's and its partners' ongoing studies, including the efficacy of Echo's Symphony tCGM and Prelude SkinPrep Systems, the failure of future development and preliminary marketing efforts related to Echo's Symphony tCGM and Prelude SkinPrep Systems, Echo's ability to secure additional commercial partnering arrangements, risks and uncertainties relating to Echo's and its partners' ability to develop, market and sell diagnostic and transdermal drug delivery products based on its skin permeation platform technologies, including the Symphony tCGM and Prelude SkinPrep Systems, the availability of substantial additional equity or debt capital to support its research, development and product commercialization activities, and the success of its research, development, regulatory approval, marketing and distribution plans and strategies, including those plans and strategies related to its Symphony tCGM and Prelude SkinPrep Systems. These and other risks and uncertainties are identified and described in more detail in Echo's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and its current reports on Form 8-K. Echo undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Echo Therapeutics, Inc.