PetScreen Joins MAF to Save Dogs From Cancer

    BIRMINGHAM, England, March 5 /PRNewswire/ --

    - Follows Earlier Launch to Vets & Leading Veterinary Oncologists at
Royal Veterinary College Initiated by Worlds Leading Animal Health Charity,
the Morris Animal Foundation (http://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org) and
PetScreen (http://www.pet-screen.com)

    Crufts 2008 will be the venue for the breed launch of a global campaign
aimed at raising canine cancer awareness (PetScreen, Hall 5 Stand 132). The
stated objective of the campaign is to eradicate cancer in the canine
population within the next ten to twenty years.

    This initiative follows a June 2007 canine cancer summit for vets,
leading veterinary oncologists and pharmaceutical industry leaders
co-sponsored by Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) and the Royal Veterinary
College (RVC). PetScreen's Chief Executive, Dr Kevin Slater was a speaker
at this summit, presenting data on a powerful new diagnostic tool for
cancer detection. The company is recognised for their achievements in this
exciting new field based around blood protein biomarkers.

    Cancer is a devastating disease, which is prevalent in many breed dogs.
The MAF-RVC meeting provided an excellent platform for professionals to
review current state of the art treatment and to plan collaborative efforts
towards eradicating the suffering caused by cancer ... and create joined up
thinking to enable the implementation of new technologies to screen, detect
cancer early, treat and monitor remission.

    The Crufts initiative is the next key step forward. Both Morris Animal
Foundation and PetScreen, see increased education and awareness of canine
cancer among owners, breeders, breed clubs and club health co-ordinators as
critical in the fight against this terrible problem.

    Morris Animal Foundation launched its global canine cancer campaign in
April 2007 and carries the full and complete support of PetScreen's
Chairman, Professor Graeme Radcliffe. Professor Radcliffe has lost dogs to
cancer, as has Dr. Patricia Olson, President and CEO of MAF. Both are
passionate to achieve the overall goal of the campaign in the shortest
possible time. Both agree that the very same cancer research breakthroughs
helping dogs often have direct benefits to humans suffering from cancer. Dr
Olson comments, "Here again, the dog is proving itself to be man's best
friend." MAF is the world's largest charitable non-profit organisation
funding research to protect, treat and cure animals, both companion animals
and wildlife worldwide.

    PetScreen is the only company able to commercially provide canine
cancer screening on a global basis. Their advanced 'proteomic' screen
requires a simple blood sample - and their research resulted in the launch
of the first available test for one of the most common cancers in dogs,
lymphoma. Other cancer tests will be available in the very near future,
with additional tests for other major diseases in both cats and dogs in the
pipeline.

    PetScreen has provided financial co-sponsorship for two important MAF
canine cancer research studies in spleen and bone cancers. "We are
delighted to support MAF in their efforts to combat cancer in dogs"
comments Professor Graeme Radcliffe. "Having suffered the loss of three of
our dogs to cancer, PetScreen represents the culmination of a personal
battle for both myself, and my wife Eileen, to help fight and conquer this
disease."

    The donation was made in the name of the Radcliffe family's three
current dogs. Libby a chocolate lab (7yrs), Saskia a German Shepherdess
(7yrs) and Huggy, an Irish Water Spaniel (12 yrs). All are regularly
screened.

    Screening is an important part of an overall wellness health programme,
particularly in high risk breeds such as flat coat retrievers, golden
retrievers, Rottweilers, Dobermans, GSD's and spaniels (for a complete list
please check Petscreen website). It is possible to book screens online at
http://www.pet-screen.com .

    "The leading cause of death in dogs over the age of 2 is cancer," says
Dr. Olson. "We hope companies like PetScreen are successful in helping dogs
as they quickly expand the range of cancers they can screen for, as well as
the accuracy of tests. Also we ask individuals and organisations around the
world to step up to fund research which will support treatment advancements
to help dogs suffering from cancer today." Learn more and help advance the
MAF campaign to cure canine cancer at http://www.CureCanineCancer.org.

    For further information, background and digitised photography please
visit the Press Office of our website: http://www.pet-screen.com or contact
Dr Kevin Slater, Chief Executive on the telephone numbers below.



    UK Office:
    PetScreen Limited
    BioCity
    Pennyfoot Street
    Nottingham
    NG1 1GF
    England
    Freephone: (UK only) 0800-028-4811
    International: +44-115-912-4430

    United States Office:
    PetScreen Limited
    Lake Success Center
    1979 Marcus Avenue
    Lake Success
    New York 11042,
    United States
    Tel: +1-516-874-3701

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