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INSTEAD SCIENCES, INC. ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR LAUNCH OF MICROBICIDE EXPECTED TO AID IN THE PREVENTION OF STD’S AND HIV
San Diego based women’s health company to launch Amphora in late 2008

LA JOLLA, CA (March 24, 2008)- Today, Instead Sciences, Inc. announced that its microbicidal personal lubricant, Amphora, which has been cleared as safe for human use by the FDA, has shown promising results in clinical studies to also prevent the contraction of certain sexually transmitted diseases, including HSV (Herpes), gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and HIV. In light of the revealing report published earlier this month by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stating that one in four teenagers has a sexually transmitted infection, the announcement of a microbicide which may prevent the spread of these diseases is very encouraging.

“Preventing the spread of STD’s and HIV is unfortunately one of the largest ongoing battles of our time, as is evidenced by last week’s alarming CDC report. With the youth of our country at a greater risk for contracting sexually transmitted diseases, it is becoming increasingly important for us to develop preventive, over-the-counter products. Fortunately, research is proving this to be a real possibility in the form of topical microbicides,” explains Joseph Pike, President/CEO of Instead Sciences Inc.

Amphora has already been FDA cleared for use in humans as a lubricant, and Instead plans to launch the product later this year. It is, to date, the only microbicidal candidate that has been cleared for this application. The promising results from clinical studies that indicate Amphora may help prevent the spread of STD’s and HIV indicate an even greater health benefit from its use.

According to a study conducted by Mt. Sinai researchers, Amphora has the ability to reduce the infection rate of the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) by 99% after 30 minutes of exposure to the microbicide. Amphora works as a bio-adhesive “acid buffering” gel that coats the vaginal wall and cervix, helping maintain a woman’s natural pH level between 3.8 and 4.2, a level that has been proven in early clinical testing to render sperm immobile and to inactivate most STI-causing organisms, including herpes, Chlamydia, HSV, gonorrhea, and HIV.

In light of the knowledge that many STD’s, including HIV itself, are extremely fragile (effectively killed by lemon juice, saliva, or even exposure to air ), the observations made in the Mt. Sinai study bolster the hypothesis that Amphora will have a similar effect in significantly reducing the infection rate of HIV and other STD’s, as was the case with the HSV testing.

Instead Chairman and former Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson asserts, “By getting Amphora into the hands of young women we can begin to offer a means of promoting vaginal health and hopefully preventing infections of STD’s.” Since leaving public office, Thompson has followed the research and development of Instead’s Amphora and intends to participate in the global launch of the microbicide, as well as pursue funding from individuals and organizations that are committed to stopping the spread of HIV and improving reproductive health worldwide.

About Instead Sciences, Inc.

Instead, Inc. provides women with new and different choices for greater freedom and control of their reproductive and sexual health. The San Diego-based company is dedicated to offering women better options in health care segments where their needs are underserved with products that are thoroughly tested for safety and efficacy. Instead has focused research and development efforts on period protection and feminine hygiene, contraception, prevention of sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDs, and other conditions where vaginal therapy can be an effective preventative or treatment. More information about Instead and its products is online at www.softcup.com or www.amphoragel.com.

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I’m so excited to say that I finally got a chance to meet the infamous Angela Shelton in person! She dropped by the Instead office recently in her cute bright green dress. She told us all about her ongoing book tour, for her new book entitled Finding Angela Shelton, and her crazy schedule for the next couple of months. We are thrilled to be providing her with Instead Softcups to give out at all her speaking engagements, because she’s a true Instead fan! Click here to see a list of her upcoming events and appearances so you can check her out when she comes to your neck of the woods.

We’d like to announce our partnership with writer, actress, filmmaker, and self-proclaimed superhero, Angela Shelton, in support of her nationwide book tour! In 2001 Angela completed a documentary entitled “Searching for Angela Shelton” in which she searched the country for women who shared her name. What she found was that a startling 70% of these women, like Angela herself, had been victims of child sexual abuse, rape, and/or domestic violence. From that point on, Angela made it her mission to educate and empower women to overcome their pain and suffering and lead happy and productive lives.

Angela Shelton is also an Instead user! While on her nationwide tour, she will be spreading the word about the Softcup and will have a bunch of samples on hand to disperse to enthusiastic women. It makes sense to reach women through Angela, since Angela’s message and Instead’s message go hand-in-hand: that message is about empowering women by teaching them to love and respect their bodies. Check out the little “commercial” Angela made about Instead on her blog, Angela Shelton’s Big Mouth. Or watch below!

“I teach women to stop being victims and become Goddesses,” Angela explains on her website, angelashelton.com. Angela’s new book, Finding Angela Shelton (in stores 4/1/08) further explores the “epidemic of abuse” that plagues women today and helps women find joyous lives through healing. Angela Shelton will soon be coming to a town near you, so keep your eye out! To view a list of her upcoming events, visit her website at angelashelton.com and click on Events.

Click Here to Pre-Order Finding Angela Shelton

She’s got more than a little attitude… She’s got Aly-tude! “A Little Aly-tude,” one of our favorite outspoken female blogs, is singing the praises of the Instead Softcup. Sassy blogger Aly loves Instead and she wants you to love it too! In fact, she’s even giving away a one-year supply of our product to 2 lucky winners! Check out the Aly-tude blog on SheKnows.com by clicking here.

Well, President Bush has given his final State of the Union address. Are you still undecided about who you’d like to take his place?

Check out Glassbooth. First you award points (you have 20 to use) to the issues that matter to you. You can choose from a wide range of topics such as abortion & birth control, health care, education, Iraq/foreign policy, gun control, and drug policy, amongst others.

After you award the points, Glassbooth formulates about 20 questions which you answer on a range from “Strongly oppose” to “Strongly support.” If you don’t understand the question, there is a link to a Wikipedia page on the issue. Finally, Glassbooth analyzes your answers and gives you the top three candidates whose views match yours. This was extremely helpful to me, as the candidates Glassbooth picked were the same each time, even when I switched up the issues.

This day in age, when we are priviliged to have both the power to vote and the resources to help us pick our candidates of choice, it would be foolish to not take advantage of the abundance of information out there. I firmly believe in an educated vote. So check out the site and let me know what you think.