Expression Pathology Obtains Maryland Funding to Develop Breast Cancer Test.

GAITHERSBURG, Md. -- Expression Pathology Inc. (EPI), a leader in tissue protein analysis, has obtained $125,000 from the State of Maryland to develop a quantitative test for HER2 protein, an important biomarker in breast cancer tissue samples. The funding is part of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation's Maryland Technology Transfer Fund (TEDCO MTTF) and the Maryland Venture Fund's Challenge Investment Program.

Using proprietary tissue processing technologies, EPI is developing a quantitative assay for HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) in breast cancer. EPI's Liquid Tissue[R] reagents and Director[TM] laser microdissection slides are used to extract proteins from standard formalin-fixed tissue. These proteins are then analyzed by highly accurate mass spectrometry techniques. Current methods of analysis relying on visual interpretation of staining patterns in tissue have limitations, according to recent articles and studies.

"This funding comes at a critical point in Expression Pathology's development," said Casey Eitner, EPI's president and chief executive officer. "Our tissue proteomics technologies have already been adopted by major academic and industrial customers for research use. We believe that diagnostic assays utilizing mass spectrometry for tissue analysis have the potential to greatly improve patient treatment decisions, especially in cancer, where tissue biopsy and surgery are routine.

"New quantitative tissue protein assays for analytes such as HER2 will be of tremendous interest for cancer research, but will also have wide application in clinical trials and patient diagnostics," Mr. Eitner continued. "This funding will accelerate our program to develop a better HER2 assay. We are grateful to the State of Maryland for these funding programs to support innovative, early-stage commercialization initiatives."

According to the American Association for Cancer Research, approximately 40,000 women are diagnosed annually in the U.S. with HER2-positive breast cancer.

About Expression Pathology Inc.

Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples are routinely collected and stored in medical treatment and research facilities. They constitute a huge untapped resource for discovery, validation and accurate measurement of biomarkers of disease progression and recurrence, drug response and toxicity.

Expression Pathology's Liquid Tissue[R] reagents and Director[TM] laser microdissection slides are opening new ways to extract valuable protein information from FFPE tissue, and could provide the foundation for a new generation of clinical research and diagnostic tools. Please visit www.expressionpathology.com.