April 21, 2000
For Immediate Publication

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA - Ci-Tec, Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MGB Technologies, Inc. (Newport Beach, CA), today announced that its patented LumaCare LC-051 non-coherent light source has been selected by the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center (UPMC) for Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) lung cancer research. The LumaCare LC-051 is to be used as a light source for in vitro PDT studies on lung cancer cells. Further details about the experimental phase and test protocol were not disclosed.

PDT is one of the most promising new fields of medicine to emerge for the non-invasive treatment of tissue diseases and disorders. Photosensitive drugs are applied on the skin and penetrate through to the diseased tissue, or they are injected into the blood stream from which the affected area absorbs the drug. Once the drugs are in place, they may be selectively activated via specific light frequencies. The LumaCare lamp activates the drugs by irradiating the tissues with a fixed frequency light source unique to each drug and disease. The drugs absorb the targeted light, which then stimulate them to destroy only the diseased tissues that have absorbed the drugs.

Traditional light sources used in PDT research have been lasers. Lasers suited to medical research and treatments are very expensive due to the complex optics and controls, as well as the protective casings required for a sterile environment. In addition, most lasers are able to produce only a narrow range of light frequencies, and therefore, limited in their use for PDT studies as several may be required for various types of PDT treatments. Non-coherent light, "random" light output containing mixed frequencies and radiating in all directions from the source, has been used experimentally in PDT treatments. These light sources generally have utilized powerful, full spectrum light bulbs (such as halogen) and lenses, which filter the "random" light production into a small band of directed light, making it easy to target specific tissues.

The LumaCare™ lamps have been designed for use in clinical and research environments and overcome the limitations of traditional PDT therapy lasers in several ways:

• Produce non-coherent light within any specific bandwidth in the 350-800nanometer range, which is suitable for most PDT therapy treatments
• Feature the greatest range of outputs with the simplest of controls
• Achieve clinical functionality while requiring minimal training of clinical staff
• Require little maintenance and no re-calibrations
• Offers a compact size and easy portability between treatment rooms

The LumaCare LC-051 Model is a low cost alternative to a laser, with a retail price ranging from $15,000 to $25,000 per unit. The LC-051 lamp also eliminates the cost of laser technicians and a special facility, thereby lowering overall operating costs. The ability of the LumaCare Model LC-051 lamp to function as an external or internal PDT activation light source offers the researcher complete medical protocol flexibility. In addition, the LC-051 can also be used in non-PDT light activated medical treatments.

For additional information or to place an order, please visit our web site at www.LumaCare.com, or contact our London Sales office at Phone: +44 (0207) 724 7675 or e-mail: info@LumaCare.com