Mark: I apologize before hand. Totally Off Topic-- but saw the following on the internet and in the paper this am. Looks interesting--and looks like it wants to pop again this am. Went up 50% yesterday on the announcement and looks like initially $4.00 this am.
Tom D.--us older guys have to think about things like this.
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CUR.TO
2.50
Wednesday February 2, 10:43 am Eastern Time
DiagnoCure sees promising result
(Full text of press release from Canadian Corporate News)
FEBRUARY 2, 2000
Important Breakthrough for DiagnoCure in Prostate Cancer
Field
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--
Preliminary Data Confirm Potential of New Prostate Cancer
Marker Developed by DiagnoCure
DiagnoCure Inc. announced today that results of preliminary clinical trials on its new molecular test uPM3, to detect the presence of prostate cancer cells in the urine, are extremely promising and point towards an important breakthrough in the field of prostate cancer.
The uPM3 molecular test detects the expression of the gene PCA3, a new marker for prostate cancer on which DiagnoCure holds all commercial rights, worldwide. The new test is intended to be used jointly with the PSA blood test to optimize the diagnostic process. The PSA blood test is the standard test regularly used for years to detect prostate cancer.
Apart from the uPM3 test, DiagnoCure is also working to develop other applications for PCA3 technology, such as an immunology blood test and various therapies for prostate cancer.
``Initial clinical data on our new uPM3 test demonstrate that, due the high specificity of our PCA3 marker, it is possible to differentiate between prostate cancer and other non-cancerous pathologies of the prostate. This is an important improvement because the weakness of the present standard PSA test is its lack of specificity,' stated Dr. Camille Chypre, Director of R&D at DiagnoCure.
``Joint use of the PSA blood test and our non-invasive uPM3 urine test would allow us to identify prostate cancer cases more precisely before the transrectal biopsy stage,' explained Dr. Yves Fradet, Executive Vice-President of the Company.
``At the present time, there are still a significant number of biopsies that are done needlessly. These could be avoided with the uPM3 test,' he continued. ``For the patient, this would be a clear advantage because a prostate biopsy is quite unpleasant. It would also mean substantial savings for health-care systems.'
Based on these encouraging results, DiagnoCure intends to take all necessary means, including a strategic alliance with a large international company, to advance the development of this extremely promising technology and make it available to physicians as quickly as possible.
``The potential market for the uPM3 test is considerable,' stated Serge Pitre, President and CEO of DiagnoCure. "At the present time, more than 7 million PSA blood tests are done each year in the United States alone. But this figure should increase significantly with the coming reimbursement of the cost of the test for routine screening purposes among men aged 50 or over.
``Given this potential,' added Mr. Pitre, ``DiagnoCure will give its PCA3 project top priority from now on. In addition, we are examining the possibility of a new round of financing or of taking on a financial and commercial partner for this project.'
The PCA3 gene is found in chromosome 9 and has been entirely sequenced. The uPM3 test, which detects this gene in the urine, was developed last year by DiagnoCure's researchers.
This molecular test is the first in the DiagnoGene(TM) series developed by DiagnoCure using NASBA(TM) technology for the amplification of RNA in vitro.
In a recent preliminary clinical study, DiagnoCure evaluated its uPM3 test. Urine samples had been obtained from a small number of patients divided into three groups: the first group of patients had prostate cancer confirmed by biopsy, the second had benign prostatic hyperplasia while the third demonstrated various genito-urinary pathologies. The urine samples were taken from the first urination following a massage of the prostate.
The results of this preliminary study indicate that with the uPM3 test, it is possible to detect prostate cancer cells in the urine with very good specificity and a high level of sensitivity. This means that the uPM3 test can clearly differentiate between cases of prostate cancer and other benign prostate diseases. A more in-depth clinical study will be conducted to reinforce these results.
The intellectual property on PCA3 technology is protected by a PCT published in 1998 (WO 98/45420). National patent applications have been submitted for it in various countries, including Canada, the United States, the European Union and Japan.
DiagnoCure, a biotech company located in Quebec City, already has its first diagnostic test on the market. This test, ImmunoCyt(TM), is for the early detection of superficial bladder cancer and is distributed in approximately a dozen countries. It is awaiting approval in the United States.
DiagnoCure is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in technologies for diagnostic tests and in therapies for cancers, particularly those of the genito-urinary system. DiagnoCure's shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol CUR.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
DiagnoCure Inc.
Serge Pitre
President and CEO
(418) 527-6100
e mail: diagnocure@diagnocure.com
or
Nathalie Bourque
(514) 843-2309 |
