TORONTO, Feb. 21, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GeneNews Limited (TSX:GEN.TO - News), a company focused on developing and commercializing blood-based biomarker tests for the early detection of diseases and personalized health management, announced that Enzo Clinical Labs, a division of Enzo Biochem, Inc. (NYSE:ENZ - News), has received approval from New York State’s Department of Health to market ColonSentry, a blood-based test to assess an individual’s current risk for colorectal cancer. Enzo has exclusive rights to market the ColonSentry test in the states of New York and New Jersey.
“The New York State review process is widely regarded to be amongst the most stringent in the clinical lab industry and provides important validation for the robustness of the ColonSentry test and underlying Sentinel Principle(R) technology”, stated Gailina J. Liew, President and Chief Operating Officer of GeneNews. “We are pleased that with this approval, the US population, representing the single largest established market for molecular diagnostic tests, will now have access to this clinically-actionable, innovative, and patient-friendly blood test.”
Dr. Robert Burakoff, Clinical Chief of Gastroenterology and Director of the Center for Digestive Diseases and of the Crohn’s and Colitis Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School commented, “There is no question that the greatest barrier to reducing mortality arising from colorectal cancer is patient compliance with screening. The approval of blood tests to facilitate colorectal cancer screening is very much welcomed as we attempt to significantly increase compliance with screening colonoscopy at the appropriate age as there is still, unfortunately, a significant percentage of the US population that has not undergone screening for colorectal cancer.”
“As a risk stratification test providing information about an individual’s current risk of having colorectal cancer, ColonSentry may facilitate a decision to undergo colonoscopy for those who would otherwise refuse the procedure,” continued Ms. Liew. “Importantly, it can also help prioritize patients at greater current risk for colorectal cancer in healthcare systems with limited colonoscopy capacity. Widespread adoption of the test could lead to earlier detection of colorectal cancer, improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.”
About Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Each year, there are approximately 154,000 colorectal cancer cases diagnosed and 52,000 deaths due to this disease. The American Cancer Society recommends that all men and women age 50 and older be regularly screened for colorectal cancer. However, only about half of this population is up-to-date on screening as many patients regard recommended tests such as colonoscopy and stool-based tests to be invasive or unpleasant, and consequently, refuse or delay testing.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), this low level of patient compliance with recommended colorectal cancer screening tests results in less than 40% of colorectal cancers being detected early. The CDC estimates that close to one-third of colorectal cancer-related deaths could be avoided if more people underwent regular screening. When colorectal cancer is found early and treated, the 5-year relative survival rate is 90%.
About GeneNews
GeneNews is an emerging molecular diagnostics company focused on the application of functional genomics to enable early diagnosis and personalized health management based on disease-specific biomarkers. The Company has a patented core platform technology, the Sentinel Principle(R), which has the power to detect and stage virtually any disease or medical condition from a simple blood sample. GeneNews is currently applying the Sentinel Principle in major areas with unmet clinical needs such as cancer, arthritis, cardiovascular disease and neurological disorders. The Company’s lead product, ColonSentry(R), is a convenient, patient-friendly blood-based test that can be incorporated into a routine physical exam to assess an individual’s current risk of having colorectal cancer. For more information on GeneNews and ColonSentry, visit www.genenews.com and www.colonsentry.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company’s current expectations regarding future events. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events could differ materially from those projected herein. Investors should consult the Company’s ongoing quarterly filings and annual reports for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to these forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Contact:
Company Contact:Gailina LiewPresident & COO,Office: (905) 739-2036gliew@genenews.comInvestor Contact:Stephen KilmerKilmer Lucas Inc.Office: (212) 618-6347stephen@kilmerlucas.comMedia Contact:Leonard ZehrKilmer Lucas Inc.Office: (905) 486-1158len@kilmerlucas.com
