Contact:  Rodney A. Young, CEO or Jane Nichols Vice President Marketing and New Business Development (952-933-2291)

LecTec Launches New TheraPatch® Sinus and Allergy Patch

First Drug Free Aromatherapy Patch to Comfort Sinus & Allergy Sufferers

January 3, 2002 – Minnetonka, MN - LecTec Corporation (Nasdaq National Market:  LECT:) announced today that later this month LecTec will expand its topical patch technology into the alternative and complementary health care market by launching the FIRST DRUG-FREE AROMATHERAPY PATCH FOR SINUS & ALLERGY COMFORT!

If you are one of the 54 million allergy or sinus sufferers in America, and if you have tried those over-the-counter pills and tablets that often cause drowsiness and other side effects with limited benefit, you will definitely want to try the newest TheraPatch product - TheraPatch Sinus & Allergy.  This new product is uniquely designed for the natural ingredients to be inhaled by applying the patch directly underneath your nose to provide immediate comfort for your sinuses.

This first of its kind product is a small adhesive hydrogel patch that contains aromatic vapors and natural oils that immediately promote easier breathing and reduce nasal discomfort. TheraPatch Sinus & Allergy contains the essential oils of: Eucalyptus – which helps open sinuses and allows them to drain, Peppermint – which cools, refreshes and revitalizes irritated sinuses, Sweet Basil – which soothes, helps clear & cleanse sinuses, and Rosemary – which is a mind and body stimulant which also promotes healthy skin. TheraPatch Sinus & Allergy is designed to cool and comfort sinuses. Along with these natural herbal oils, it also contains aloe and glycerin to soothe chafed skin. It is contoured to fit comfortably under your nose.

Aromatherapy is the science of utilizing aromatic oils derived from plants, including essential oils used for psychological and physical well-being. The US aromatherapy market is projected to reach $800 million dollars by 2003 and is growing 13.5% annually.¹ According to a global research firm’s beauty trends study, 37% of women say they use aromatherapy products frequently, while 53% use them occasionally. Aromatherapy is considered an alternative or complementary medical therapy.

Why are people turning to alternative/complementary therapies? According to Rodney A. Young, Chairman, CEO and President of LecTec Corporation, “Many people cannot tolerate the side effects associated with oral medications, others use them to enhance their own natural healing process, and many choose alternative therapy as a complement to conventional medicine.  In addition, consumers/patients are constantly seeking more knowledge about how their bodies function in order to develop healthier habits, live longer and to participate more fully in their own healing process and health maintenance goals - alternative therapies are frequently a component in their wellness process.  Finally, a growing number of people are turning to alternative and natural medicines with good success when conventional medicines simply fail to work.”

The number of Americans using alternative therapy rose from 33% in 1990 to more than 42% in 1997.  Americans spent more than $27 billion on these types of therapies in 1997, exceeding out-of-pocket spending for all U.S. hospitalizations. A 1994 study revealed that more than 60% of doctors from a wide range of specialties, recommended alternative therapies to their patients at least once.  In addition, 47% of the doctors in this study reported using alternative therapies themselves.²
 

“Once again we have demonstrated our innovative new product development capacities by launching this “first patch in a category’” product into a market segment that is growing significantly faster than the conventional medicines in the healthcare market. Our patented skin interface technology is ideally suited to deliver topical compounds to the skin, as well as function as a reservoir for essential oils used in aromatherapy.  We are very excited about the potential of this new market segment, TheraPatch Sinus & Allergy is the first in a line of aromatherapy products we will introduce over the next twelve months,” Young concluded.

The TheraPatch Sinus & Allergy will be sold in mass merchandise, chain drug, and grocery stores, as well as health and natural food retail stores.  TheraPatch Sinus & Allergy, together with the complete line of TheraPatch products is available on the Internet by visiting www.TheraPatch.com.

LecTec is a health care and consumer products company that develops, manufactures and markets products based on its advanced skin interface technologies.  Primary products include a full line of over-the-counter therapeutic patches for muscle aches and pain, insect bites, minor skin rashes, cold sores, coughs due to colds and minor sore throats, psoriasis, and its new products NeoSkin Rejuvenation and TheraPatch Sinus & Allergy. 

 

1. Global Cosmetic Industry Trends for 2002 Avastar Communications

2. Source:  National Center for Complimentary & Alternative Medicine, DSNRetailing Today 4/16/01

This press release contains forward-looking statements that may include statements regarding intent, belief or current expectations of the company and its management.  These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in these statements.  Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, buying patterns of major customers, competitive forces including new products or pricing pressures, costs associated with and acceptance of the company’s TheraPatch brand strategy, impact of interruptions to production, dependence on key personnel, need for regulatory approvals, the ability to satisfy funding requirements for operating needs, expansion or capital expenditures and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  

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