AUSTIN, Texas, March 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- (Nasdaq: VRML) Vermillion, a molecular diagnostics company, today announced the presentation of positive preliminary data from its collaboration with Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine to identify biomarkers that improve on the specificity of CA125 for the identification of malignant ovarian tumors. These results were presented at the 42nd Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, March 6-9, 2011 in Orlando, Florida.
The poster titled “Identification of Biomarkers to Improve Specificity in Preoperative Assessment of Ovarian Tumor for Risk of Cancer” evaluated more than 20 candidate biomarkers for their ability to complement CA125 in distinguishing benign from malignant ovarian tumors, with an emphasis on markers that could improve on the clinical specificity. Of the candidate markers, three markers demonstrated the ability to complement CA125 using multivariate logistic regression. These studies were conducted by Drs. Daniel Chan and Zhen Zhang at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Chan is Professor of Pathology, Oncology, Radiology, and Urology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Director of the Clinical Chemistry Division and Co-Director of the Pathology Core Laboratory of Johns Hopkins Hospital. He is also Director of the Biomarker Discovery Center at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Zhen Zhang is an Associate Professor of Pathology also at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
“Markers that can improve the clinical specificity of current tools for ovarian cancer detection will enhance our ability to test patients in whom cancer is suspected. These results pave the way for further studies that could lead to additional novel tests in the ovarian cancer space,” said Dr. Eric T. Fung, Chief Science Officer at Vermillion.
About Vermillion
Vermillion, Inc. is dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of novel high-value diagnostic tests that help physicians diagnose, treat and improve outcomes for patients. Vermillion, along with its prestigious scientific collaborators, has diagnostic programs in oncology, hematology, cardiology and women’s health. Additional information about Vermillion can be found on the Web at www.vermillion.com.
About OVA1®
OVA1® is a qualitative serum test that combines the results of five immunoassays into a single numerical score. It is indicated for women who meet the following criteria: over age 18, ovarian adnexal mass present for which surgery is planned, and not yet referred to an oncologist. The test utilizes five well-established biomarkers - Transthyretin (TT or prealbumin), Apolipoprotein A-1 (Apo A-1), beta 2-Microglobulin (beta 2M), Transferrin (Tfr) and Cancer Antigen 125 (CA 125 II) - and a proprietary FDA-cleared software device to determine the likelihood of malignancy in women with pelvic mass for whom surgery is planned. Additional information about OVA1® can be found on the Web at www.ova-1.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
Certain matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements that involve significant risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding Vermillion’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. These forward-looking statements are based on Vermillion’s current expectations. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for such forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, Vermillion notes that a variety of factors could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to materially differ include but are not limited to: (1) uncertainty as to Vermillion’s ability to protect and promote its proprietary technology; (2) Vermillion’s lack of a lengthy track record successfully developing and commercializing diagnostic products; (3) uncertainty as to whether Vermillion will be able to obtain any required regulatory approval of its future diagnostic products; (4) uncertainty of the size of market for its existing diagnostic tests or future diagnostic products, including the risk that its products will not be competitive with products offered by other companies, or that users will not be entitled to receive adequate reimbursement for its products from third party payors such as private insurance companies and government insurance plans; (5) uncertainty that Vermillion will successfully license or otherwise successfully partner with third parties to commercialize its future products; (6) uncertainty whether the trading in Vermillion’s stock will become significantly less liquid; and (7) other factors that might be described from time to time in Vermillion’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information in this press release is as of the date of this report, and Vermillion expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect any change in Vermillion’s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, unless required by law.
This release should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. Copies are available through the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval system (EDGAR) at www.sec.gov.
SOURCE Vermillion, Inc.
