FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Christine Crooks, Director of Marketing
Carmel Pharma, Inc. 1-866-487-9250 ext 202

SITEMAN CANCER CENTER IMPLEMENTS THE PHASEAL SYSTEM

Siteman to implement The PhaSeal System closed-system drug transfer device (CSTD) following conclusive clinical study results

Columbus, Ohio, October 27, 2006 – Carmel Pharma, Inc. announces that Siteman Cancer Center will implement The PhaSeal System, the only clinically proven closed-system drug transfer device that eliminates hazardous drug interaction with your environment.  With over 10 peer-reviewed, independent studies currently available, PhaSeal has been distinguished by prominent thought leaders as the “Gold Standard” in the safe handling arena.

"This is a novel device," says Byron Peters, R.Ph., director of pharmacy at the Siteman Cancer Center. "It is the first and only closed-system device proven to reduce vapors and fluids coming from vials and syringes. With standard needles and syringes and non-closed devices used previously there was potential for spray or leakage." He expects the device will become more widely used in mixing and chemotherapy treatment rooms in the future as oncology offices become more aware of the benefits of the closed-system transfer device.

Peters and colleagues at the Siteman Cancer Center, the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in St. Louis and Saint Louis University conducted a study of PhaSeal, published in the Sept. 15 issue of the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. Using PhaSeal eliminated, or significantly reduced, traces of the chemotherapeutic agents studied from surfaces where they were reconstituted from dried powders and in areas where nurses administered intravenous injections or used IV bags containing the same chemotherapy agents used in the study.

Carmel Pharma, Inc. president, David Schneider, says, ““we are proud to have the Siteman Cancer Center implement the use of PhaSeal and take the necessary steps to protect their employees and their work environment. We look forward to working with them and continuing to establish safe and efficient ways to provide the necessary care their patients will need today and in the future.”

Siteman Cancer Center is the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center within a 200-mile radius of St. Louis. Siteman Cancer Center is composed of the combined cancer research, treatment and prevention programs of Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine.  Siteman is also one of only 20 centers in the country that make up the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN).
The PhaSeal System consists of an Expansion Chamber that captures aerosols and vapors while equalizing the pressure in the vial, a Double membrane that ensures dry connections, and a Needle-Safe Design that enables the retrieval of all the drug from the vial.

The PhaSeal System is manufactured in Gothenburg, Sweden and is distributed from its U.S. affiliate office in Columbus, OH.  PhaSeal has been in use in the U.S. since 2000 and has been implemented in over 400 cancer facilities in the United States, including M.D. Anderson in Houston, TX, Texas Children’s and UCSF.  If you have questions regarding the PhaSeal System or Carmel Pharma, Inc., please contact Christine Crooks, Director of Marketing at 1-866-487-9250 ext.202, or online at info@carmelpharma.com.

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Harrison BR, Peters BG, Bing MR. Comparison of surface contamination with cyclophosphamide and fluorouracil using a closed-system drug transfer device versus standard preparation techniques. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy 2006 Sep 15;63(18):1736-44.