Tag: ColoMarker

Colon Cancer-Detecting Blood Test Previewed at MEDICA Trade Show

Posted by Ryan Willis – November 19, 2010

Düsseldorf, Germany – The future of colon cancer screening may be surprisingly simple. ColoMarker™, an innovative blood test to detect the early stages of colon cancer is generating plenty of attention from a wide audience, including from some of the world’s leading researchers in cancer biomarkers and gastrointestinal medicine.

At the EDP Biotech booth (l-r) *Inga Hauglum, Rod Kaiser, Herbert Fritsche, PhD, *Bret Niesen, *Jussi Kontturi, *Bente Hemsborg Skar, *Christer Liden, *Peter Blom (*indicates Electra-Box Diagnostica Oy representatives)

EDP Biotech, a US-based medical research company, is introducing ColoMarker to medical professionals from around the globe who are attending Germany’s famous Medica trade fair. Dr. Herbert Fritsche, recently retired Chief of the Clinical Chemistry Section of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, is one of the world’s leading experts on cancer biomarkers as well as a member of EDP Biotech’s scientific advisory board. Dr. Fritsche is attending the trade fair to discuss development of the serum-based test for the early detection of colon cancer. 

Another internationally-famous physician, Dr. Gene Overholt, credited as the inventor of the colonoscopy, has also recently joined the company’s scientific advisory board. 

To date, physicians have relied on colonoscopies and fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) to identify potential cases of early stage colon cancer. However, the unpleasantness and discomfort associated with colonoscopies and the limited reliability of other screening tests cause many patients to avoid testing. 

“When patients avoid testing, they also avoid the opportunity to detect the cancer at its earliest and most survivable stages,” says Tom Boyd, CEO of EDP Biotech. “This means patients are truly putting their lives at risk. We saw an opportunity to save lives if we could help physicians better identify which of their patients were most in need of a colonoscopy or other testing.” 

ColoMarker provides that function as a simple blood test. The test identifies elevated levels of a biomarker in the bloodstream associated with the presence of colorectal cancers. When an elevated result is received, physicians can consult with their patients on the need for additional testing to aid in a diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment plan. 

Pre-clinical testing of ColoMarker has shown a greater than 99% accuracy rate for detecting colon cancer in the Stages I, II, and III. 

The company also was recently awarded a grant from the United States government for work on further development and testing of ColoMarker. The Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project (QTDP) grant is awarded to assist bio-tech companies showing significant potential in their work to develop new therapies and making advances in the fight to cure cancer.  By debuting ColoMarker in the exhibit halls of the Medica trade fair, EDP Biotech hopes to bring that same awareness of ColoMarker’s potential to research laboratories and medical practices across Europe. 

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About EDP Biotech Corporation
EDP Biotech (EDP) is a medical device company focused on the development and sale of immunodiagnostic tests for both humans and animals.  EDP utilizes more than 30 years of research and development in the identification and purification of proteins present in the early stages of biological changes for production of in vitro diagnostics test whose primary target is the development of early detection products. For additional information, visit EDP Biotech online at www.colomarker.com.

Media Contact:
Ryan Willis
(865) 584-0550
rwillis@ackermannpr.com

EDP Biotech Awarded Federal QTDP Grant

Posted by Ryan Willis – November 4, 2010

Knoxville, Tenn. – EDP Biotech Corporation was awarded a $244,000 grant from the federal government under the Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project program as a result of the company’s work in the development of their ColoMarker test™, an early detection blood test for colon cancer.  The QTDP program was designed to make one-time awards to certain biotech companies that show significant potential to produce new therapies; address unmet medical needs; prevent, detect, or treat chronic or acute diseases or conditions; reduce health care costs, or significantly advance the goal of curing cancer within the next 30 years. 

The ColoMarker test developed by EDP Biotech identifies a unique biomarker to help physicians better identify patients most in need of follow-up detection methods such as colonoscopies. By detecting colon cancer in its earliest stages when the survivability rate is at its highest, the ColoMarker test has the potential to save thousands of lives each year.

“This is exciting news for our company as we continue our work with the ColoMarker test and the early detection of colon cancer,” said Tom Boyd, CEO of EDP Biotech Corporation.  “We are very grateful the federal government has recognized the value of our company’s work and will be supporting us in our efforts as we continue to move forward.”

The QTDP grant program was created by Congress in May of 2010, under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. 

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About EDP Biotech Corporation

EDP Biotech (EDP) is a medical device company focused on the development and sale of immunodiagnostic tests for both humans and animals.  EDP utilizes more than 30 years of research and development in the identification and purification of proteins present in the early stages of biological changes for production of in vitro diagnostics tests whose primary target is the development of early detection products.

Media Contact:
Ryan Willis
(865) 584-0550
rwillis@ackermannpr.com

Tennessee State Legislators Mark National Colon Cancer Month with Briefing on Revolutionary New Colon Cancer Test

Posted by Shane Rhyne – March 17, 2010

Nashville, TN – (March 17,2010) – EDP Biotech, a Knoxville-based company today briefed Tennessee state legislators on its revolutionary ColoMarker™ colon cancer test which potentially could save 50,000 lives and more than $12 billion in healthcare costs annually in the U.S.  Legislators were also provided the opportunity to personally experience the ColoMarker™ test by enrolling in the control study group for EDP’s latest research.  The briefing and test were scheduled to coincide with National Colon Cancer Month, which is being observed throughout March 2010.

The company’s innovative colon cancer test has the potential to save thousands of lives each year through a simple blood test.  By measuring a unique biomarker discovered by EDP Biotech and a testing process that utilizes inexpensive existing technology, ColoMarker™ has shown a greater than 99% accuracy rate for detecting colon cancer in the most treatable stages (I, II and III).  This can be accomplished at a cost that should make ColoMarker accessible and affordable to all individuals.

“The State of Tennessee has one of the highest incidence rates of and mortality rates for colon cancer in the United States.  As a Tennessee-based company actively addressing this devastating disease, we wanted to make the state’s legislators aware of ColoMarker™ and the impact it can have on people’s lives and the U.S. healthcare system”, stated Dr. Kevin Jones, EDP Biotech, Chief Scientific Officer.  “Some 1200 Tennesseans lose their battle with colon cancer each year.  Most of these lives could have been saved with early detection.  Based on the encouraging results of our pre-clinical trials, we believe ColoMarker™ can be used for early detection, which will reduce colon cancer deaths in Tennessee and throughout the world.”

Early detection of colon cancer will save lives.  Yet, less than 20% of Americans who should be screened by colonoscopy actually are.  The ColoMarker™ test has the ability to reduce the physical, psychological and financial barriers to early screening.  EDP Biotech has achieved a significant milestone in developing a simple blood test that will have the potential to reach people who otherwise would not participate in more invasive screening procedures.

“EDP Biotech and its ColoMarker™ product is an excellent example of companies in Tennessee who are making significant contributions to our state, our country and the world”, commented State Representative Joe Armstrong, who is Chairman of the House Health and Human Services Committee.  “Through today’s briefing and the opportunity for Tennessee legislators to take the ColoMarker™ test, we are clearly demonstrating that the State of Tennessee is very serious about reducing mortality rates and healthcare costs for colon cancer.”

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About EDP Biotech Corporation

EDP Biotech (EDP) is a medical device company focused on the development and sale of immunodiagnostic tests for both humans and animals.  EDP utilizes more than 30 years of research and development in the identification and purification of proteins present in the early stages of biological changes for production of in vitro diagnostics test whose primary target is the development of early detection products.

Media Contact
Jeff Hooper
Ackermann PR
(865) 584-0550
jhooper@ackermannpr.com

Researchers announce medical breakthrough with simple, inexpensive blood test for colon cancer

Posted by Shane Rhyne – December 15, 2009

Knoxville, Tenn. (December 15, 2009) – Medical researchers with EDP Biotech Corporation (EDP) have captured national attention with their revolutionary new technology for a simple blood test to detect early-stage colon cancer.

Following the success of its pre-clinical trials for the ColoMarker™ assay, EDP has filed a patent on the biomarker, CA11-19, and all aspects of its use.  Via an inexpensive blood test, ColoMarker™ will detect colon cancer in its earliest, most curable stages.

“American Cancer Society statistics show that when colon cancer is detected in its early stages, more than 90% of patients will survive.  If not detected until the later stages, fewer than 10% will survive.  ColoMarker™ detects colon cancer in these early, highly curable stages,” says Kevin Jones, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of EDP.

According to American Cancer Society statistics, fewer than 20% of Americans over the age of 50 who should be screened for colon cancer, actually are.  With the use of ColoMarker™, a simple and inexpensive blood test, the number of people being screened would likely increase dramatically, leading to a decline in deaths due to colon cancer.

In pre-clinical trials, ColoMarker™ successfully detected the early stages (I, II, and III) of colon cancer.  In tests of 2,370 blood samples, ColoMarker™ showed an accuracy rate of >99% for detecting colon cancer in these early stages. “ColoMarker™ could lead to a radical shift in the way we detect colon cancer,” adds Dr. Jones.

National researchers who study colorectal cancer are closely monitoring emerging technologies such as ColoMarker™.  Their findings are encouraging; just last week, the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries released an optimistic report about the expected decline in deaths from colon cancer due to anticipated improvements in early screening methods.

Dr. Jones states, “The use of ColoMarker™ as a screening test could save tens of thousands of American lives every year and billions of dollars in healthcare costs.”  EDP Biotech is now moving forward expeditiously to get ColoMarker™ through the Food and Drug Administration clearance process.

For more information on ColoMarker™ or EDP Biotech Corporation, contact Jeff Hooper, Ackermann PR, and (865) 584-0550.

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Media Contact

Jeff Hooper, Ackermann PR
jhooper@ackermannpr.com
(865) 584-0550

About EDP Biotech Corporation
EDP Biotech Corporation (EDP) is a medical device company focused on the development and sale of immunodiagnostic tests for both humans and animals. EDP utilizes more than 30 years of research and development in identification and purification of proteins present in the early stages of biological changes for production of in vitro diagnostic tests whose primary target is Early Detection Products.