DENVILLE, N.J., March 3, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lantis Laser Inc. (Pink Sheets:LLSR) (http://www.lantislaser.com), announced today that Stan Baron, President & CEO, released an official Update Letter to shareholders. Lantis is developing ground breaking light-based diagnostic imaging technology for application in dentistry.
Begin Letter
Fellow Shareholders: Firstly I wish to thank our investors for their patience and understanding during what, in some ways, has been a difficult year. It has also been a year in which we have made significant advances as we move towards our vision of marketing the most advanced integrated diagnostic imaging platform for dentistry. On the corporate side, we are pleased to report that after a lengthy Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) review process, Lantis' stock registration filing for listing a portion of its common shares on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB) Exchange was 'deemed effective' on February 17, 2009. During the review period, the Company's ability to update shareholders with material information on our progress was limited. Having received SEC approval, the company has commenced the next phase in the listing process of obtaining approval from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Lantis had planned to initiate the next round of funding at this stag and management is now dedicated to obtaining the required financing to complete product development and transition to an operational company. From the time of funding, the OCT development time line including obtaining FDA clearance is anticipated to be approximately 12 months, with product market introduction now targeted for Q1 2010. It should be noted that during the period from February to October 2008, the company had funds tied up in the auction rate securities market and this illiquidity hampered the product development cycle. These securities were later purchased by our bankers at par value with no loss to the company, under the terms of a settlement with New York State and regulatory authorities. The Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) product development cycle has moved along well and all fundamental technological hurdles have been overcome successfully. With the move in mid 2008 to a new advanced OCT Engine, auxiliary components had to be upgraded and I am pleased to report that all components are functional. We will need to complete another design and fabrication cycle for two key components, after which time these components will be deployed in the beta systems for pre-production. It is anticipated that this cycle will take between 4 and 6 months and can only be commenced upon completion of the next round of funding. The OCT Engine, software suite and industrial design are all progressing well. Beta systems are expected to be deployed for clinical use within 6 months of funding and after generation of the required clinical data, an 510k FDA filing will be submitted. On this time line, management expects that the transition to manufacturing and marketing could commence within 12 months from funding, or in Q1 2010. Although there is a further delay from previously projected dates of market introduction, this time is necessary and will be used to ensure that the OCT product is absolutely optimized for clinical use. Finally, while dentistry is largely considered recession resistant, we hope that economic market conditions in 2010 will be more favourable for Lantis product introductions. In July 2008, Lantis obtained the exclusive license for an imaging technology known as Near-infrared Transillumination Imaging (NIR) which compliments and is synergistic with OCT as it uses the same light source and wavelength. Lantis intends to offer the NIR technology both in a combination platform with OCT and as a standalone product. NIR development will commence upon the next round of funding and is expected to be completed within 12 to 15 months of funding. Further information will be released on this shortly. The needs for the OCT/NIR imaging modalities are more evident than ever as dentistry transitions to the medical model of diagnosing disease early and treating it early. The practice of CAMBRA (Caries Management By Risk Analysis) is increasing together with the evolution towards Minimally Invasive Dentistry. High resolution accurate diagnostic imaging to detect the early stages of oral disease is a critical component in these industry wide trends. Lantis is poised to complete its vision of providing an integrated an advanced diagnostic imaging platform that will include OCT/NIR and optional digital x-ray and intraoral camera. These integrated modalities in a chairside mobile cart, will provide a complete imaging solution for modern dentistry and aid in greatly increasing the standard and level of patient care. Sincerely Stan Baron President & CEO
End of Letter
About Lantis Laser
Lantis was formed to commercialize the application of novel technologies in the dental industry. The criteria for selected products include competitive edge, exclusivity and large market potential. Lantis has rights to the application of OCT technology in the field of dentistry under its license Agreements with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (exclusive) and LightLab Imaging (non-exclusive). Lantis also has exclusive rights to MEMS scanning technology from the University of Florida. The Company has an exclusive licenses with The Regents of the University of California for the Near-infrared Imaging Technology and an exclusive development and supply Agreement with Axsun Technologies for its advanced OCT Engine. OCT was invented in the early 1990's at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is currently being commercialized in ophthalmology, cardiovascular imaging and other bio-medical applications including optical biopsies and cancer detection.
To find out more about Lantis Laser (Pink Sheets:LLSR), visit our website at www.lantislaser.com
Safe Harbor: Statements regarding financial matters in this press release other than historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The company intends that such statements about the Company's future expectations, including future revenues and earnings, technology efficacy and all other forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. The Company is a development stage company who continues to be dependent upon outside capital to sustain its existence. Since these statements (future operational results and sales) involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, the Company's actual results may differ materially from expected results.