FREMONT, Calif., July 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. announced today results of a multi-site study aimed at discovering and validating biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease. For biomarker discovery, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were analyzed from 65 Alzheimer’s disease patients and 44 controls. Thirty peaks were identified with p<.01 between the disease and control group, and logistic regression was used to generate a panel comprising five proteins that had 92% sensitivity and 98% specificity. The panel was tested on an independent set of 30 Alzheimer’s disease samples and 29 controls, resulting in 97% sensitivity and 97% specificity. Components of the marker panel included post-translationally modified forms of amyloid beta, cystatin, and complement C3a. The study was a collaborative effort between Ciphergen and Prof. Kaj Blennow, M.D., Ph.D. from the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Molndal, Sweden, Prof. Gunhild Waldemar from Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark and Niels Andreasen from Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden.
“We are pleased with the results of this multi-site study. These results may form the basis for potential diagnostic tests, and may provide tools to assist in the development of novel therapeutic agents for this devastating disease,” said Gail S. Page, President and CEO of Ciphergen.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, affecting over 13 million people worldwide.
About Ciphergen
Ciphergen is dedicated to the discovery of protein biomarkers and panels of biomarkers and their development into protein molecular diagnostic tests that improve patient care; and to providing collaborative R&D services through its Biomarker Discovery Center(R) laboratories for biomarker discovery for new diagnostic tests as well as pharmacoproteomic services for improved drug toxicology, efficacy and theranostic assays. Ciphergen develops, manufactures and markets a family of ProteinChip(R) Systems and services for clinical, research and process proteomics applications. ProteinChip Systems enable protein discovery, validation, identification and assay development to provide researchers with predictive, multi-marker assay capabilities and a better understanding of biological function at the protein level. Additional information about Ciphergen can be found at www.ciphergen.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: For purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”), Ciphergen disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and claims the protection of the Safe Harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Act. Examples of such forward-looking statements include statements regarding the predictive value and usefulness of the reported biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease or the outcome of studies relating to Alzheimer’s disease. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements due to various factors, including the fact that the performance of this or any other biomarker panel discovered by Ciphergen may not validate in subsequent studies or be developed into an assay or therapeutic that is useful to physicians and patients. Investors should consult Ciphergen’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-K dated March 17, 2006, for further information regarding these and other risks of the Company’s business.
NOTE: Ciphergen, ProteinChip, Biomarker Discovery Center and BioSepra are registered trademarks of Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc.
Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc.
CONTACT: Sue Carruthers of Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc., +1-510-505-2297
Web site: http://www.ciphergen.com//
