Hologic, Inc. Launches Automated Cervical Cancer Screening Solutions at IPV Meeting in Berlin

BEDFORD, Mass., Sept. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hologic, Inc. (Hologic or the Company) (Nasdaq: HOLX), a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostic products, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women, will focus on two new, ready-to-market automated options for cervical cancer screening at the International Papillomavirus Conference & Clinical Workshop (IPV) September 17th through 22nd in Berlin, Germany.

Hologic’s ThinPrep 5000 STS (Sample Transfer System) and Cervista MTA (Medium Throughput Automation) system will be featured in the Hologic exhibit. When the Cervista MTA system is combined with the ThinPrep 5000 sample transfer system, small-to-mid-sized laboratories have a scalable, fully-automated solution for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing. Small-to-mid-sized laboratories typically run less than 12,000 HPV tests/year. HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases and is recognized as the cause of most cervical cancers. By eliminating what is often a manual system involving time and multiple handling of the samples, the combined systems are designed to give laboratories an enhanced chain-of-custody procedure allowing for even more confidence in their patient results.

“Our new automated Cervista and ThinPrep systems represent a tremendous opportunity for our laboratory partners in markets recognizing the CE mark,” said Rohan Hastie, Vice President and General Manager, Hologic Molecular Diagnostics. “These products are designed to provide the small and medium volume laboratory access to the most effective and efficient cervical cancer screening technology available, while allowing them the flexibility to address their specific productivity and throughput needs.”

Hologic is sponsoring the “HPV-Testing out of the ThinPrep PreservCyt Vial: Customer Experiences and Automation Solutions” symposium on Monday September 19th from 17.30 to 18.30 at the IPV meeting. The symposium is open to anyone attending the conference. Over 1,000 conference attendees are expected to attend.

Research on human papillomaviruses has made impressive progress in recent years. Better diagnosis and therapies have helped to significantly reduce the number of new cancer cases, advanced-stage tumors, and ultimately deaths from cervical cancer in particular, which is predominantly caused by HPV. However, next to breast cancer, cervical carcinoma remains the second most frequent cancer affecting women worldwide. The IPV meeting and workshop is the major international conference that encompasses all aspects of HPV research. Hologic is a gold sponsor of the event.

About ThinPrep and Cervista Tests

The Cervista HPV HR test utilizes proprietary Invader technology to detect 14 high risk types of HPV for cervical cancer screening.

The ThinPrep 5000 STS system automates the sample transfer and bar code scanning of the vial.

The Cervista MTA system automates the DNA extraction and HPV detection steps of the Cervista HPV HR test.

The combined systems have the ability to process 24, 48 or 96 ThinPrep samples/batch at a time providing mid-to-low-volume laboratories the opportunity to utilize Hologic’s automation while using the reagents efficiently.

CE marking of these new systems allows Hologic to sell the products throughout Europe and in countries recognizing the CE mark.

About Hologic

Hologic, Inc. is a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostics products, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women. Hologic’s core business units are focused on breast health, diagnostics, GYN surgical, and skeletal health. Hologic provides a comprehensive suite of technologies with products for mammography and breast biopsy, radiation treatment for early-stage breast cancer, cervical cancer screening, treatment for menorrhagia, permanent contraception, osteoporosis assessment, preterm birth risk assessment, mini C-arm for extremity imaging and molecular diagnostic products including HPV and reagents for a variety of DNA and RNA analysis applications.

Hologic’s unique combination of FDA approved products, including the ThinPrep Pap test, Cervista HPV HR test and Cervista HPV 16/18 test, provides a full range of cervical cancer screening technologies for improving women’s health.

Hologic, Cervista, Invader and ThinPrep are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Hologic, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

This News Release may contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties, including statements about the use of the ThinPrep Pap test and Cervista HPV HR test and Cervista MTA and ThinPrep 5000 STS system. There can be no assurance the tests or systems will achieve the benefits described herein and that such benefits will be replicated in any particular manner as the actual effect of the use of the tests and systems can only be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the particular circumstances and installation in question. Hologic expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to the data or statements presented herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such data or statements are based. Certain factors that could adversely affect the Company’s business and prospects are described in Hologic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE Hologic, Inc.