GAITHERSBURG, Md., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- For the fifth consecutive year, Digene Corporation has been named to Deloitte's prestigious "Technology Fast 50" Program for Maryland, a ranking of the 50 fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications and life sciences companies in the state. Rankings are based on the percentage of growth in fiscal year revenues over five years from 2001 to 2005.
"Ranking on this prestigious list underscores our commitment to growth and innovation. We continue to be successful in our ongoing mission to improve human health using advanced diagnostic testing. In addition, Digene has been highly successful in generating strong revenue and increasing shareholder value. Over the past five years we are proud to have generated 237 percent revenue growth and look forward to continued growth in the future," said Evan Jones, Digene's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Digene's fiscal year-end (June-June) revenues increased from $34.2 million in 2001 to $115.1 million in 2005. For fiscal year 2006, Digene's revenues grew to $152.8 million.
"Sustaining high revenue growth over five years is an exceptional accomplishment. We commend Digene for making the commitment to technology and delivering on the promise of market longevity. We are proud to honor Digene as a Deloitte Technology Fast 50 winner," said Andrew Harrs, Deloitte's Southeast regional managing partner for the technology, media and telecommunications industry practice.
To qualify for the Technology Fast 50, companies must have had operating revenues of at least $50,000 in 2001 and $5 million in 2005, be headquartered in North America, and be a company that owns proprietary technology or proprietary intellectual property that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenues or devotes a high proportion of revenues to research and development of technology.
Digene markets the only FDA-approved and CE-marked test for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes cervical cancer. In the United States, The Digene(R) HPV Test is approved for use along with the Pap to screen women age 30 and older, the group most at risk for developing cervical cancer. Worldwide, cervical cancer affects more than 400,000 women annually and, after breast cancer, is the second-most-common malignancy found in women.
About Digene
Digene Corporation , based in Gaithersburg, MD, develops, manufactures and markets proprietary DNA and RNA testing systems for the screening, monitoring and diagnosis of human diseases -- with a focus on women's cancers and infectious diseases. The company's hc2 High-Risk HPV DNA Test(R) is the only test for human papillomavirus approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), for both follow-up evaluation in women with inconclusive Pap results and for primary adjunctive screening with the Pap test in women age 30 and older. For primary adjunctive screening, it is marketed as both The Digene HPV Test and the DNAwithPap(R) Test. These brand names do not refer to the Digene product that tests for several types of the virus commonly referred to as "low-risk HPV," which are not associated with cervical cancer. For more information, visit www.thehpvtest.com. Digene's HPV test is also CE-marked in Europe both routine, primary screening and follow-up evaluation of women with inconclusive Paps. It is marketed in more than 40 countries worldwide. In addition, Digene's product portfolio includes DNA tests for the detection of other sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia and gonorrhea, as well as tests for blood viruses. For more information, visit the company's Web site, www.digene.com.
About Deloitte & Touche:
Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, a Swiss Verein, its member firms and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates. As a Swiss Verein (association), neither Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu nor any of its member firms has any liability for each other's acts or omissions. Each of the member firms is a separate and independent legal entity operating under the names "Deloitte," "Deloitte & Touche," "Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu" or other related names. Services are provided by the member firms or their subsidiaries or affiliates and not by the Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Verein. Deloitte & Touche USA LLP is the US member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. In the U.S., services are provided by the subsidiaries of Deloitte & Touche USA LLP (Deloitte & Touche LLP, Deloitte Consulting LLP, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP, Deloitte Tax LLP and their subsidiaries), and not by Deloitte & Touche USA LLP.
Digene CorporationCONTACT: Investors: Charles M. Fleischman, President, Digene Corporation,+1-301-944-7000; Media: Shelley Ducker of Digene, +1-301-944-7610, or SeanLeous of Financial Dynamics, +1-212-850-5755, for Digene
