EXACT Sciences Presents Research on New DNA Stabilization Techniques, Scanning Methods and Genetic Markers.MARLBOROUGH, Mass. -- EXACT Sciences Corporation (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on : EXAS) announced today that its Chief Technology Officer, Anthony P. Shuber, will present information on the Company's latest applied research efforts on Sunday, October 3, 2004 at 8:00 am (EDT EDT abbr. Eastern Daylight Time EDT Eastern Daylight Time EDT n abbr (US) (= Eastern Daylight Time) → hora de verano de Nueva York EDT ). The presentation will take place at the Conference on Colon Cancer colon cancer, cancer of any part of the colon (often called the large intestine). Colon cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in the United States. in Murine murine /mu·rine/ (mur´en) pertaining to, derived from, or characteristic of mice or rats. mu·rine adj. Models and the Human, hosted by Jackson Laboratory The Jackson Laboratory was founded in Bar Harbor, Maine in 1929 by former University of Maine and University of Michigan president C. C. Little under the name Roscoe B. Jackson Memorial Laboratory. , in Bar Harbor, Maine Bar Harbor, Maine, may refer to:
The presentation by Mr. Shuber, entitled "Technical Challenges and the Development of a Stool DNA DNA: see nucleic acid. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. Assay for Colorectal Cancer colorectal cancer Malignant tumour of the large intestine (colon) or rectum. Risk factors include age (after age 50), family history of colorectal cancer, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, benign polyps, physical inactivity, and a diet high in fat. Screening," focuses both on the Company's accomplishments to date in developing its commercially available, DNA-based assay, PreGen-Plus(TM), and on the ongoing efforts of the Company's applied research group to further improve the assay. These improvements include minimizing DNA degradation in stool and developing a novel DNA sequence DNA sequence Genetics The precise order of bases–A,T,G,C–in a segment of DNA, gene, chromosome, or an entire genome. See Base pair, Base sequence analysis, Chromosome, Gene, Genome. scanning technique, both of which, the Company believes, will further improve assay sensitivity Assay sensitivity is a property of a clinical trial defined as the ability to distinguish an effective treatment from a less effective or ineffective treatment. Without assay sensitivity, a trial cannot be said to make a distinction between the efficacy of two treatments. over time. Mr. Shuber will present data demonstrating the benefit of maximizing DNA stability during sample handling, as well as the substantially increased ability to identify colorectal cancer associated mutations in tissues by utilizing the recently developed scanning technique. Mr. Shuber will also describe additional efforts to increase the assay's performance by reconfiguring the assay's current marker panel with the addition of novel markers. The Company intends to further investigate and then validate these results in stool samples. "The beauty of working with DNA lies not only in its challenges but in the belief that these challenges can be overcome," commented Mr. Shuber. "The concept of a DNA-based fecal assay for the detection of colorectal cancer has been in the scientific literature for well over a decade, but the technical challenges seemed unsolvable. In fact, the applied research team at EXACT Sciences was able to address the issues and was the first group to develop robust technologies, which are now commercially available in PreGen-Plus. Moreover, we knew that we could continue to improve the performance of an assay that is DNA-based by meeting other technical and biological challenges going forward. I believe that the data to be presented at this conference supports the development of a next-generation assay with even greater sensitivity. Our research efforts now will be focused on the validation of these new technologies, with the hope that we will be able to create commercially viable technologies that further optimize and enhance the performance of PreGen-Plus." About EXACT Sciences Corporation EXACT Sciences Corporation is a leader in rapidly applying genomics knowledge to develop effective, patient-friendly screening methods to detect cancer early, to assist physicians in saving patients' lives. Its first commercial test, PreGen-Plus(TM), is used for screening colorectal cancer in the average-risk population. Colorectal cancer, which is the most deadly cancer among non-smokers, is curable cur·a·ble adj. Capable of being cured or healed. if detected early. Despite the availability of colorectal cancer screening and diagnostic tests for more than 20 years, however, the rate of early detection of colorectal cancer remains low, and deaths from colorectal cancer remain high. EXACT Sciences believes its genomics-based technologies will enable early detection of colorectal cancer so that more people can be effectively treated. Founded in 1995, EXACT Sciences is based in Marlborough, Mass. Detailed information on EXACT Sciences and PreGen-Plus can be found on the World Wide Web at www.exactsciences.com and www.pregenplus.com. Certain statements made in this press release that are not based on historical information are express or implied forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, EXACT Sciences' expectations concerning, among other things, the Company's research and development strategies and programs and their likely future success, the development of new technologies to enhance the sensitivity of its products in the detection of cancer, and the effectiveness and market acceptance of its technologies. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond EXACT Sciences' control, and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. In particular, the risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the ability of EXACT Sciences to become profitable; the success of its strategic relationship with LabCorp; its ability to license certain technologies or obtain raw materials for its technologies; the ability to convince Medicare and other third-party payors to provide adequate reimbursement for EXACT Sciences' products and services; the ability to convince medical practitioners to order tests using EXACT Sciences' technologies; the ability to increase the performance of the PreGen-Plus test; the ability of EXACT Sciences or LabCorp to lower costs through automating and simplifying key operational processes; the inclusion of PreGen-Plus in cancer screening guidelines cancer screening guideline Any guideline promulgated by an authoritative organization–eg Am Cancer Society, for early detection of a malignancy common in a particular population, the diagnosis of which, if caught early, results in a complete cure or improved ; the number of people who decide to be screened for colorectal cancer using EXACT Sciences' technologies; competition; the ability to comply with federal and state statutes and regulations relating to EXACT Sciences' products and services, including FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. requirements, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988 are United States federal regulatory standards that apply to all clinical laboratory testing performed on humans in the United States, except clinical trials and basic research. ; the ability to protect EXACT Sciences' intellectual property and the cost of enforcing or defending EXACT Sciences in litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. relating to intellectual property rights; the possibility that other companies will develop and market novel or improved methods for detecting colorectal cancer; and the ability to raise additional capital on acceptable terms. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. EXACT Sciences undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise. For additional disclosure regarding these and other risks faced by EXACT Sciences, see the disclosure contained in EXACT Sciences' public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, without limitation, its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. and subsequent SEC filings. |
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