NORMAN, Okla. (September 4, 2002) - Ekips Technologies, Inc., announced today the company has received a $100,000 Phase I National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to support clinical studies for obtaining FDA approval of the company's initial product -- The Breathmeter (www.breathmeter.com). The laser-based breath analysis instrument can aid in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma. Clinical trials are underway at The Lung Center in Norman, Okla., with a pre-clinical trial recently completed at the Oklahoma Allergy & Asthma Clinic in Oklahoma City.

"Early results with the Breathmeter show it provides consistent exhaled nitric oxide measurements related to airway inflammation -- even when nitric oxide levels in the air vary widely due to factors such as exhaust emissions from cars," says Mark A. Camp. M.D. of The Lung Center, Inc., who along with his associate Aaron L. Boyd, M.D. will be lead investigators for the clinical trial. "The Breathmeter technology will likely prove useful in the diagnosis of asthma, but I'm also focused on how it can improve anti-inflammatory treatment by enabling more accurate dosing and ensuring therapy compliance."

Recent medical research demonstrates that exhaled biomarkers are potentially useful objective measurements of airway inflammation in asthma. Measurement of exhaled nitric oxide goes beyond traditional pulmonary function testing such as spirometry. The Breathmeter is designed to allow physicians real-time access to information contained in breath samples previously limited to research laboratories. The clinical studies, projected for completion by mid 2003, will be used to demonstrate clinical applicability and verify that nitric oxide is elevated in patients with untreated or under treated asthma and to see if the test can be a measure for more accurate asthma assessment.

The patent-pending technology developed by Ekips uses a mid-infrared laser chip - similar to the laser chip used in commercial DVD players -- to measure nitric oxide and carbon dioxide simultaneously in exhaled breath. Such multiple molecule measurement allows great flexibility in breath sample collection. An article describing the Ekips research appeared in the January 2002 issue of the peer-reviewed journal Optics Letters.

A report recently released by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) shows that only 58% to 65% of managed care asthma patients received appropriate anti-inflammatory medications even though many studies have shown that such therapy reduces the incidence of life-threatening asthma attacks. Asthma accounts for more than 10 million physician visits, more than one million emergency room visits, 500,000-plus hospitalizations, and nearly 10 million missed school days annually.

Asthma experts agree that more widespread use of exhaled nitric oxide measurements for asthma diagnosis and anti-inflammatory therapy monitoring can be a key part of improving the health of asthma sufferers. Over $14 billion per year is spent on asthma-related medical care.

"The potential benefits to both the doctor and the patient are substantial because we have another tool to use in the clinic to help us monitor the progress of asthma therapy," says Dr. Warren Filley of the Oklahoma Allergy & Asthma Clinic. "The Breathmeter is a very patient friendly device which allows us to test children too small for standard pulmonary function testing. We are excited about its potential clinical applications."

About Ekips Technologies, Inc. Ekips Technologies, Inc., incorporated in Oklahoma in 1997 to develop, manufacture and market lasers and laser-based systems. The company's proprietary technology enables low-cost fabrication of semiconductor lasers that have performance characteristics superior to those of competing products. The company is the beneficiary of research grants from the National Science Foundation and the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology. For more information on the company's flagship product visit www.breathmeter.com.

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Andrew Naugher
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