Pacific Biomarkers, Inc. CSO Elizabeth T. Leary Co-Authors Paper in March Issue of Clinical Chemistry

SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwire - March 08, 2011) - Elizabeth T. Leary, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at Pacific Biomarkers, Inc. (PBI) (OTCBB: PBMC), a provider of biomarker laboratory services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostics industries, has co-authored a paper appearing in the March issue of Clinical Chemistry. The article explores the contribution of assay methodologies in the risk score classification of cardiovascular disease.

In the paper, Dr. Leary and her co-authors evaluated the accuracy of cardiovascular disease risk score classification by direct LDL cholesterol, calculated LDL cholesterol, and non-HDL cholesterol compared to classification by reference measurement procedures performed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A total of 175 individuals were examined, including 138 with cardiovascular disease or conditions that may affect measurement of LDL cholesterol.

The study concluded that except for individuals with elevated triglycerides, 7 of 8 direct LDL cholesterol methods failed to show improved cardiovascular disease risk score classification over the corresponding calculated LDL cholesterol methods. Non-HDL cholesterol showed overall the best concordance with the reference measurement procedures for cardiovascular disease risk score classification of both normal and hypertriglyceridemic individuals.

“Most clinical papers pretty much ignore assay differences and their contribution in the interpretation of study findings,” said Dr. Leary. “We have presented evidence that not all assays for cardiovascular risk are equally accurate, a conclusion that may help select the appropriate assay for each study and refine methodologies that target those patients at risk for cardiovascular disease.”

About Pacific Biomarkers, Inc.
Established in 1989, PBI provides biomarker laboratory services and contract research services to support pharmaceutical and diagnostic manufacturers conducting human clinical trial research. The Company provides expert services in the areas of cardiovascular and musculoskeletal diseases, diabetes, obesity, and nutrition. The PBI laboratory is accredited by the College of American Pathologists, New York State, and the Lipid Standardization Program. PBI’s clients include many of the world’s largest pharmaceutical, biotech, and diagnostic companies. PBI also provides clinical biomarker services focusing on the emerging field of biomarker assay development and testing. Services include validating and performing custom assays for novel clinical biomarkers, immunogenicity testing, mass spectrometry, and multiplex testing. PBI is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, and its common stock trades on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “PBMC.”

For more information about PBI, visit the company’s website at www.pacbio.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This press release includes forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, the following: results of business development activities; future growth; and the viability and acceptance of the Company’s biomarker services. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, the following: the Company’s ability to enter into contracts for its laboratory testing or biomarker services; client changes or early terminations of studies; variability in backlog; the success of marketing and business development efforts, and competitive factors; the Company’s ability to manage growth; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2010).