building......... potential?? huge market.

High risk play that could pay off IMO.
I hold.

Cheers,
xmagx


EIFFEL STRENGTHENS ITS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PORTFOLIO
Australia, 23 April, 2004 – The Directors of Eiffel Technologies Limited (ASX: EIF) are
pleased to announce that following further progress with its in-house Supercritical Fluid
research, the Company filed a further provisional patent application in late 2003 bringing the Company’s total patent portfolio to 5 families of patent applications. Over the last three years, Eiffel Technologies has made significant progress in building a patent
portfolio that now encompasses each of the Company’s Supercritical Fluid platforms. Supercritical Fluid technologies can be used to improve the performance of currently approved drugs, deliver them in a more convenient way and in effect extend the patented life of drugs prior to generic competition. The market opportunities for the technology are large with up to US$6 Billion worth of drugs due to lose patent protection
in the next 7 years. The drug delivery market for oral, transdermal and inhalational drugs is valued at US$50-60 Billion annually and is growing at twice the rate of the pharmaceutical market.
Three of Eiffel’s patent applications have been examined internationally. The Company has already received advice from the International Preliminary Examination Authority indicating that each of Eiffel’s three international patent applications are new, inventive and industrially applicable.
The remaining two patent applications are at an earlier stage. Further new patent applications are proposed in the near future. “In three years Eiffel has built an impressive suite of patents. With the potential market of
re-engineered drugs estimated at billions of dollars, Eiffel's Intellectual Property status is strong and growing stronger," said Eiffel’s Managing Director & CEO, Christine Cussen.
The Company will continue to aggressively explore opportunities both internally and externally to further strengthen its proprietary position and to protect the interests of its international partners.
Eiffel Technologies Limited’s business focus is on improving the performance and delivery of a broad range of pharmaceuticals. Based in Australia, the Company has effectively over 50 years experience in pharmaceutical particle reengineering and is at
the forefront of Supercritical Fluid research. Eiffel is developing and commercialising a range of drug reengineering platforms to improve drug performance and delivery and extend patent life. Eiffel Technologies’ research programme focuses on developing and
improving drugs in a range of therapeutic areas including diabetes, asthma, antiinflammatory,
antiviral and anti-fungal formulations. For more information on Eiffel
Technologies, please visit the Company’s website www.eiffeltechnologies.com.au.