|
Prometheus Receives New York State
Approval for Prometheus® IBS Diagnostic, First Blood Test for
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
San Diego, March 16, 2009 – Prometheus Laboratories Inc., a
specialty pharmaceutical and diagnostic company, announced today
that it has received New York State approval for PROMETHEUS® IBS
Diagnostic, the first and only blood test for irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS). This novel test incorporates 10 biomarkers, two
of which are proprietary, along with a proprietary algorithm to
help physicians diagnose patients with IBS.
“One out of five Americans has symptoms of IBS, however the
majority go untreated due in part to current limitations in
diagnostics,” said Henry Pan, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Scientific and
Medical Officer of Prometheus. “PROMETHEUS IBS Diagnostic is a
valuable tool that can help accelerate the diagnosis and
treatment of IBS. We have worked diligently with the New York
State Department of Health to ensure that this innovative test
is broadly available to patients in need. In addition, we are
pleased to report that a manuscript describing PROMETHEUS IBS
Diagnostic has recently been accepted for publication in
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics.”
IBS can be challenging to diagnose because it is a functional
disease that is not associated with any visible abnormality and
symptoms often overlap with other gastrointestinal conditions,
such as inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease and chronic
functional constipation/diarrhea. Without a blood-based
biomarker, the diagnosis of IBS is typically made through a
process of elimination, by determining the patient does not have
other gastrointestinal diseases with similar symptoms, together
with the use of the standard Rome diagnostic criteria.
As with Prometheus’ entire portfolio of proprietary diagnostics,
PROMETHEUS IBS Diagnostic testing is performed at the Company’s
CLIA-certified laboratory in San Diego, California. Blood
samples are collected and shipped overnight to Prometheus, after
which test results are generally reported back to physicians
within two to three days. Subscribing physicians may also view
their test results over the Internet. For more information,
please visit
www.ibsbloodtest.com.
About IBS
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney Diseases, in 2007, almost 60 million, or 20%, of the
U.S. population had symptoms of IBS, making it one of the most
common disorders diagnosed by physicians. At least twice as many
women as men are affected by IBS, a disorder characterized most
commonly by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and
diarrhea. Although it significantly impairs health-related
quality of life, many people suffer from IBS for years before
being properly diagnosed and treated. It is believed that up to
75% of people suffering from IBS are not receiving medical care
for their symptoms, due in part to the current difficulties of
diagnosing IBS.
About Prometheus
Prometheus Laboratories Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical and
diagnostic company committed to developing and commercializing
novel pharmaceutical and diagnostic products to help physicians
individualize patient care. Prometheus is currently focused on
the detection, diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal
diseases and disorders in the United States. Its strategy
includes the marketing and delivery of pharmaceutical products
complemented by proprietary, high-value diagnostic testing
services. By integrating pharmaceutical products and diagnostic
testing services, Prometheus believes it can address the full
continuum of care, thereby providing physicians with a
comprehensive solution to treat chronic diseases. Prometheus’
corporate offices are located in San Diego, California.
Contact
Pete De Spain
Director, Investor Relations
& Corporate Communications
Prometheus Laboratories Inc.
(858) 587-4117
pdespain @prometheuslabs.com
|
