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Prometheus Launches ProOncDx Cancer
Diagnostics
Three New Tests Based on Breakthrough MicroRNA Technology
San Diego, October 15, 2009 – Prometheus Laboratories Inc., a
specialty pharmaceutical and diagnostic company, today announced
the nationwide commercial launch of three new cancer diagnostic
products: ProOnc TumorSourceDx, ProOnc SquamousDx and ProOnc
MesotheliomaDx. Each of these tests is based on recently
developed, highly sensitive microRNA technology.
“Prometheus has a long and successful history of providing
innovative diagnostics that complement targeted therapeutics to
help physicians individualize patient care,” said Joseph M.
Limber, President and Chief Executive Officer of Prometheus.
“Now we are proud to introduce the first three products from our
cancer diagnostics portfolio with the launch of ProOncDx. We
believe that these highly tissue-specific tests provide more
objective and quantitative results than current methods, which,
may lead to more personalized treatments for patients.”
ProOnc TumorSourceDx identifies the tissue-of-origin of a
metastatic tumor. The test identifies 25 different tumor types,
including colon, liver, brain, breast, kidney, lung, ovary,
pancreas, prostate and testis, and measures the expression level
of 48 microRNA biomarkers. ProOnc TumorSourceDx uses a
proprietary classifier to assign a primary site to the cancer
sample based on the microRNA expression in the tumor and may
become a critical tool in the detection of cancer of unknown
primary (CUP).
ProOnc SquamousDx classifies non-small cell lung carcinoma
tumors into two histological groups: cancers of squamous
histology and non-squamous cancers. The test measures the
expression level of a squamous microRNA biomarker to
differentiate patients that have squamous cell carcinoma of the
lung from patients that have non-squamous non-small cell lung
cancer.
ProOnc MesotheliomaDx is a cutting-edge molecular diagnostic
test that uses microRNA to differentiate malignant pleural
mesothelioma from peripheral adenocarcinoma of the lung and
metastatic carcinomas involving the lung and pleura.
“MicroRNAs are small, non-coding sequences of RNA that are
critically important in many biological and pathological
processes,” said Harvey Pass, M.D., Professor of Cardiothoracic
Surgery and Director of the Division of Thoracic Surgery and
Thoracic Oncology at New York University Langone Medical Center
and its NYU Cancer Institute. “The sensitivity and specificity
of microRNA-based diagnostics should enable clinicians to
differentiate particular cancer tissues with increased
confidence, which may ultimately guide medical oncologists to
deliver the safest and most efficacious therapy for their
patients.”
For more information about ProOncDx tests, please call (877)
378-4919 or visit
www.prometheusoncology.com.
Prometheus acquired exclusive U.S. rights to ProOnc
TumorSourceDx, ProOnc SquamousDx and ProOnc MesotheliomaDx from
Rosetta Genomics (NASDAQ: ROSG) in April 2009. The tests are
offered as miRview mets, miRview squamous and miRview meso
outside of the U.S. In addition, Prometheus and Rosetta are
collaborating to develop two new microRNA-based gastroenterology
tests.
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 a leader in applying
the principles of personalized medicine to the diagnosis and
treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and is applying these
principles to oncology. Its strategy includes the marketing and
delivery of pharmaceutical products complemented by proprietary
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.
ProOnc TumorSourceDx, ProOnc SquamousDx and ProOnc
MesotheliomaDx are trademarks of Prometheus Laboratories Inc.
miRview mets, miRview squamous and miRview meso are trademarks
of Rosetta Genomics Ltd.
Contact
Pete De Spain
Director, Investor Relations
& Corporate Communications
Prometheus Laboratories Inc.
(858) 587-4117
pdespain @prometheuslabs.com
or
John F. Kouten
Chief Executive Officer
JFK Communications, Inc.
(609) 514-5117
jfkouten @jfkhealth.com
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