SAN DIEGO, May 4, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Biocept, Inc. (Nasdaq:BIOC), a molecular oncology diagnostics company specializing in biomarker analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs), today announced the launch of its c-MET amplification detection test utilizing a blood-based “liquid biopsy.” This diagnostic assay has the potential to help physicians identify which patients may be receptive to certain gastric and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatments.
The c-MET signaling pathway has shown to be dysfunctional in a wide variety of cancers. When this is the case, c-MET stimulates cell growth, invasion and metastasis – encouraging cells to resist timely death. Given the role of the c-MET pathway in the proliferation of cancer cells, it is a target for many cancer therapies currently in development.
Preliminary results from a study led by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and presented at the 2015 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium (GICS) showed that a novel small-molecule c-MET inhibitor showed promise in the treatment of c-MET-amplified GI cancers. In addition to targeting this mechanism in GI cancers, c-MET abnormalities (along with T790M mutations) are recognized as common mechanisms of acquired resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR TKIs) in advanced NSCLC. Biocept launched an assay to detect the presence of T790M mutation in NSCLC patients in January 2015.
“It has been demonstrated that high levels of c-MET correlate with poor prognosis in several tumor types, including breast, ovarian, gastric and lung cancer among others,” said Veena Singh, M.D., SVP and Senior Medical Director of Biocept. “Now the excitement around c-MET is focused on its potential as a biomarker that will be a companion diagnostic for targeted therapies in gastric and lung cancers.”
“The launch of our c-MET assay is consistent with our efforts to dedicate Biocept to transforming the field of personalized medicine,” said Raaj Trivedi, VP of Commercial Operations for Biocept. “As new targets like c-MET grow in their potential as companion diagnostics, obtaining tissue samples to detect the mutation will be challenging for cancers like lung and gastric. Biocept’s blood-based approach to oncology diagnostics avoids patient re-biopsy, allowing for molecular profiling and monitoring of patients with alterations in this key pathway throughout the course of therapy.”
About Biocept
Biocept, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, Calif., is a commercial-stage oncology diagnostics company focused on providing information on patients’ tumors to physicians using its proprietary technology platform to help improve individual patient treatment. Biocept has developed proprietary technology platforms for capture and analysis of circulating tumor DNA, both in CTCs and in plasma (ctDNA). A standard blood sample is utilized to provide physicians with important prognostic and predictive information to enhance individual treatment of their patients with cancer. Biocept currently offers its OncoCEE-GA™ test for gastric cancer, OncoCEE-BR™ test for breast cancer and OncoCEE-LU™test for non-small cell lung cancer and plans to introduce CLIA validated tests for colorectal, prostate and other solid tumors based on its proprietary technology platforms over the coming months.
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This release contains forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations or beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions about future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and the assumptions upon which they are based are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations and assumptions will prove to have been correct. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by the use of words like “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “intend,” or “project” or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. To the extent that statements in this release are not strictly historical, including without limitation statements as to improvement of outcomes, our impact on diagnostic strategies and planned future offerings, such statements are forward-looking, and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as these statements are subject to numerous risk factors as set forth in our Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings. The effects of such risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this release. We do not plan to update any such forward-looking statements and expressly disclaim any duty to update the information contained in this press release except as required by law. Readers are advised to review our filings with the SEC, which can be accessed over the Internet at the SEC’s website located at www.sec.gov .
CONTACT: Investor Contact: The Ruth Group David Burke/Lee Roth (646) 536-7009 / (646) 536-7012 dburke@theruthgroup.com/lroth@theruthgroup.com Media Contact: The Ruth Group Melanie Sollid-Penton (646) 536-7023 msollid@theruthgroup.com
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