SPECTRAL'S CARDIAC STATUS(TM) TROPONIN I IS CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE
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in Centocor's GUSTO IV Acute Coronary Syndromes Clinical Trial
Spectral's Point-of-Care Cardiac STATus Troponin I Panel Test Will be
Used in Over 400 Leading Hospital Sites in The United States, Canada,
Europe
And Australia/New Zealand
TORONTO, May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Spectral Diagnostics Inc. (Nasdaq:
DIAGF) (Toronto Stock Exchange: SDI), developers of the Cardiac
STATus(TM) line of rapid format cardiac diagnostic panel tests with its
joint-venture partner, Princeton BioMeditech, reported that Centocor
Inc. has chosen to use Spectral's Cardiac STATus Troponin I panel test
in its GUSTO IV Acute Coronary Syndromes ("GUSTO IV ACS") clinical
trial. The GUSTO IV ACS clinical trial is a multinational, multicentre
trial investigating the efficacy and safety of Centocor's anti-platelet
therapeutic agent, ReoPro(R) (Abciximab), for the treatment of patients
suffering from Acute Coronary Syndromes ("ACS") including heart attack
or unstable angina. Using Spectral's Cardiac STATus Troponin I panel
test and other inclusion criteria, approximately 7,800 chest pain
patients that may benefit from a potent anti-platelet therapeutic agent
will be selected from chest pain patients presenting to emergency
departments and other acute care settings. More than 400 leading
hospital sites in the United States, Canada and Europe are
participating in the trial.
In a recent report in the New England Journal of Medicine, the
performance of Spectral's Cardiac STATus Troponin I panel test was
shown to be superior to other troponin tests in the early
identification of patients suffering from Acute Coronary Syndromes.
In making the announcement, Spectral's Chairman and CEO, Mr. Douglas C.
Ball said, "We are delighted that Spectral's Cardiac STATus Troponin I
panel test has been chosen by Centocor and its key investigators for
use in the GUSTO IV ACS clinical trial. In providing an early and
accurate identification of patients suffering Acute Coronary Syndromes,
our Cardiac STATus Troponin I panel test is shown to be an integral
ingredient in specifying patients eligible for leading-edge therapies
such as Centocor's ReoPro or alternative courses of intervention or
treatment."
Mr. Ball added, "While many of the participating hospitals are already
customers of Spectral, the commercial prospects arising from the use of
Spectral's Cardiac STATus Troponin I panel tests in the GUSTO IV ACS
clinical trial are substantial. By aligning our approach to cardiac
diagnostics as an aid leading to better therapeutic and other
interventional therapies in the treatment of patients undergoing a
cardiac episode, Spectral has the opportunity to enhance usage of our
products and obtain a further expansion of our customer base in the
United States, Canada and Europe."
Mr. Glenn Mattes, Vice President, General Manger, Cardiovascular
Division Unit for Centocor said, "Under acute conditions and emergency
settings, Spectral Cardiac STATus Troponin I test is a proven method
for the early identification of cardiac risk patients. The test
platform provides accurate results in a wide variety of clinical
settings which maximizes the opportunity for therapy decisions." Mr.
Mattes added, "We believe that Spectral's test is a critical ingredient
in the rapid selection of chest pain patients who may benefit from
aggressive treatment options. We welcome the opportunity to partner in
the clinical trial."
Located in Canada, the United States and Europe, Spectral's scientists,
sales and marketing organizations and other professionals are focused
on the development and commercialization of its Cardiac STATus line of
Controls and diagnostic panel tests including the CK-MB/Myoglobin Panel
Test, the Troponin I Panel Test and the patented Cardiac Panel(TM).
Spectral's common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange
(symbol SDI) and the Nasdaq - NMS - Exchange (symbol DIAGF).
The matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that
may cause actual results to differ materially. These risks are detailed
from time to time in the Company's periodic reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission including the Company's Annual
Report, Quarterly Reports and other periodic filings. These
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. The
Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these
forward-looking statements.
ReoPro(R) is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company. In
the U.S., Centocor and Eli Lilly co-promote ReoPro.
SOURCE Spectral Diagnostics Inc.
-0- 05/12/98 /CONTACT: Douglas C. Ball,
Chairman and CEO of Spectral Diagnostics, 416-626-3233; or Irving L.
Straus, Chairman of Straus Corporate Communications, 212-768-2477, for
Spectral Diagnostics/
(DIAGF SDI.)
CO: Spectral Diagnostics Inc. ST: Ontario IN: MTC SU:
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