BenchMark System HPV Probes Offer 'Seeing is Believing' Advantage Over Other
HPV Tests
TUCSON, Ariz., March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
(Nasdaq: VMSI), a leading supplier of automated instrument reagent systems to
histology and drug discovery labs worldwide, today announces the launch of a
new in-situ hybridization (ISH) test to detect high- and low-risk forms of
human papilloma virus (HPV) in liquid-based cytology specimens and cervical
tissue biopsies. Ventana's INFORM(R) HPV High Risk and Low Risk Probes are
the first automated, slide-based tests for HPV DNA. Designed for the
company's recently released Benchmark system, the world's most automated
histology instrument for protein, DNA and RNA testing, INFORM(R) HPV utilizes
unique ISH technology. The test gives physicians the diagnostic information
critical to determining which patients are more likely to develop cervical
cancer.
"With the growing demand for HPV testing and the mounting evidence
supporting the clinical value of this test, the new INFORM(R) HPV DNA test is
designed to be run on the high-throughput BenchMark system, which allows
standardized analysis of both histology and cytology samples," commented
Christopher Gleeson, Ventana's president and chief executive officer.
HPV is one of he most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United
States and the primary cause of cervical cancer. Approximately 110 million
Pap tests are performed annually worldwide and 7 percent are indeterminate,
although only a small percentage of HPV-positive cases actually progress to
cancer.
"Today, detecting HPV in borderline Pap tests is accomplished through a
qualitative chemiluminescence-based test," said Dr. Thomas Grogan, chief
scientific officer and medical director at Ventana. "The presence of the
virus doesn't necessarily mean that cancer has developed. Our INFORM(R) HPV
test will allow physicians to look at cervical samples and see actual cell
layers where the cancer can be lurking. This is clearly a distinct advantage
over traditional tests that primarily detect the presence of the virus and
therefore result in a positive HPV test, even though there may be no evidence
of cancer."
After being tested with INFORM(R) HPV, a patient can be put under a
doctor's watch for cancer development rather than undergo unnecessary and
potentially invasive treatment, such as a cervical biopsy. Every year in the
United States, more than 3 million women receive a diagnosis of "atypical
squamous cells of undetermined origin," or ASCUS, on the basis of a Pap test.
The American Cancer Society estimates 12,800 women were diagnosed with
cervical cancer last year, and 4,600 died of the disease. Worldwide cervical
cancer strikes 400,000 women each year, and after breast cancer, is the second
most common malignancy found in women.
"We are committed to building the Ventana franchise in the women's health
market worldwide by providing unique diagnostic tests that will assist in
improving the practice of medicine and the quality of patient care," Gleeson
said. The INFORM(R) HPV test will be available for shipment to customers in
March.
The INFORM(R) HPV test adds to the increasing menu of automated DNA-based
ISH tests that were recently released for sale by the company. Designed for
the BenchMark system, other tests include a HER-2/neu gene test used in
conjunction with the company's recently FDA-approved PATHWAY test for the
HER2/neu protein, and tests for cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Epstein-Barr Virus
(EBV).
This news release contains certain "forward-looking" statements and
information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking
statements, by their very nature, include risks and uncertainties.
Accordingly, the company's actual results could differ materially from those
discussed in this release. A wide variety of factors could cause or contribute
to such differences and could adversely impact revenues, profitability, cash
flows and capital needs. Such factors, many of which are beyond the control of
the company, include the following: market acceptance of new automated
histology products, continued success in asset management, continued
improvements in our manufacturing efficiencies, on-schedule launches of our
new products, currency exchange rate variability, competition and competitive
pressures on pricing and general economic conditions in the United States and
in the regions served by the company. A more complete listing of cautionary
statements and risk factors is contained in the company's report on Form 10-K
for the year ended Dec. 31, 1999, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Ventana develops, manufactures and markets instrument/reagent systems that
automate tissue preparation and slide staining in clinical histology and drug
discovery laboratories worldwide. Ventana's clinical systems are important
tools used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and infectious diseases.
Ventana's drug discovery systems are used to accelerate the discovery of new
drug targets and evaluate the safety of new drug compounds.
For more information on Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. via facsimile at no
additional cost, simply dial 1-800-PRO-INFO and enter the stock symbol "VMSI."
Visit the Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. website at http://www.ventanamed.com .
The Molecular Discovery Systems Division has its own website
at http://www.ventanadiscovery.com .
SOURCE Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.ventanamed.com
CONTACT:
Christopher Gleeson, President and CEO of
Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., 520-690-3557, or Analysts, Kathy
Brunson of The Financial Relations Board BSMG Worldwide,
312-640-6696
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