LARGO, Fla., Dec. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GeoPharma, Inc. (the “Company”) announced today that it has signed an agreement with the University of South Florida Research Foundation to acquire worldwide patent rights of a diagnostic technology for early stage detection of ovarian cancer using patient urine samples.
The National Cancer Institute estimates 15,280 women in the US will die from ovarian cancer in 2007.
Ovarian cancer is often called the “silent” killer because of vague symptoms that are unnoticed until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. The most deadly of all gynecological cancers, ovarian cancer is also the most curable if detected early.
When ovarian cancer spreads from the pelvis (stage III-IV), less than 30% of patients survive long-term. When it is limited to the ovaries (stage I), 90% of patients can be cured. Currently early stage diagnosis (stage I) occurs in only 20 percent of ovarian cancer cases.
There is no approved test for early detection of ovarian cancer. The only ovarian cancer diagnostic test is the CA-125 blood test that is approved by the FDA to ‘monitor progression of the disease’. For best accuracy, the CA-125 test is done serially or in combination with other physical tests like transvaginal sonography and pelvic examination.
Preliminary clinical studies have been conducted at the University of South Florida (“USF”) and further studies are under progress. GeoPharma will initiate necessary steps for FDA approval.
“Ovarian cancer diagnostic test with (a) high reliability, (b) ease of use and (c) detection at an early stage could save thousands of women from untimely deaths. Our technology could offer significant help in this direction,” said Dr. Kotha Sekharam, president of GeoPharma.
“We’re very excited,” said, Valerie McDevitt, director of the Division of Patents and Licensing for the USF Research Park. She also added, “It’s a local company so we’re hoping for good things. We want to support local businesses. This could help large numbers of women and it is part of USF President Judy Genshaft’s mission to promote biotech at USF.”
About University of South Florida
The University of South Florida is among the nation’s top 63 public research universities and one of 39 community engaged public universities as designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. It is one of Florida’s top three research universities. USF was awarded more than $300 million in research contracts and grants last year. The University offers 219 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, specialty and doctoral levels, including the doctor of medicine. The University has a $1.8 billion annual budget, an annual economic impact of $3.2 billion, and serves more than 45,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and Lakeland. USF is a member of the Big East Athletic Conference.
About GeoPharma, Inc.: GeoPharma, Inc. is a rapidly growing pharmaceutical company specializing in the manufacturing and distribution of over-the- counter, nutritional, generic drug and functional food products, as well as, health and beauty products for companies worldwide. This is accomplished by utilizing our wholly owned subsidiaries Innovative Health Products, Inc., Libi Labs, Belcher Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Breakthrough Engineered Nutrition, Inc. Innovative Health Products and Libi Labs specialize in the development and manufacture of a broad range of nutritional supplements and cosmeceuticals. As a contract manufacturer, we develop and manufacture dietary supplements as well as health and beauty care products for distribution through various outlets. Belcher Pharmaceuticals, Inc is a state-of-the-art FDA-registered, drug development and manufacturing facility for generic and over-the-counter (“OTC”) drugs. Breakthrough Engineered Nutrition, Inc. develops markets and distributes its own branded dietary supplements. Currently, DEX-L10, DEX-C20, OxyFirm and Cortiloss are among Breakthrough’s top selling dietary products. Breakthrough’s products are distributed nationwide and internationally in specialty, food, drug and mass outlets, including Target, Wal-Mart, GNC, Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Duane Reade and many others. We also have an established network of brokers and distributors strategically located across the United States and Canada. GeoPharma’s growth strategy is to capitalize on its manufacturing expertise to develop high margin generic or novel drugs for niche markets with high barriers to entry. GeoPharma’s competitive advantage lies in its ability to circumvent or overcome the challenges in these markets. For more about GeoPharma, Inc., go to our websites at www.geopharmainc.com, www.hoodiadexL10.com, and www.onlineihp.com
This press release may contain statements, which constitute forward- looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including those regarding the company and its subsidiaries’ expectations, intentions, strategies and beliefs pertaining to future performance. All statements contained herein are based upon information available to the company’s management as of the date hereof, and actual results may vary based upon future events, both within and without management’s control. Important factors that could cause such differences are described in the company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT: Carol Dore-Falcone, VP/CFO of GeoPharma, Inc., +1-727-471-0850
x243, IR@GeoPharmainc.com
Web site: http://www.geopharmainc.com/
http://www.onlineihp.com/
http://www.hoodiadexL10.com/
