CombiMatrix Corporation
(Nasdaq:CBMX) today announced that Dr. Amit Kumar's presentation at the
DxRx Summit: Nucleic Acid Diagnostics + Therapeutics in Boston, Massachusetts,
held on May 13, 2009 is now available on its website. The presentation titled,
"Non-Invasive, Array-Based Screening for Cancer" can be downloaded
and reviewed by interested parties. Viewing and downloading instructions are
provided below.
"We are pleased with the initial progress we have made with the development
of this test," stated Dr. Amit Kumar, President and CEO of CombiMatrix
Corporation. "We feel that this test when launched will have great market
potential and tremendous implications regarding the approach to cancer, because
of its non-invasive nature."
CombiMatrix's goal is to complete the research and development phase for the
first version of the array by the end of the third quarter of 2009. While the
initial focus is on colon, lung, breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers, CombiMatrix
has not yet publicly disclosed the specific cancers which will be on the first
version of the test. By the end of 2009, the final protocols, assay development
and quality control metrics are expected to be complete. During the first half
of 2010, CombiMatrix hopes to complete clinical trials in anticipation of a
commercial launch during the third quarter of 2010. In parallel with the development
of this array, CombiMatrix will be engaged in partnership discussions with third
parties. Subsequent to launch, CombiMatrix expects to expand the scope and power
of the array by incorporating additional oncology markets, and the Company will
also conduct additional internal and external clinical trials.
It is important to note that this test is not a risk factor test for cancer,
which identifies those at elevated risk of contracting a cancer. Instead, this
test is being developed to perform as a screening test that is designed to identify
those patients that potentially have a growing tumor at the time that the test
is administered. Upon indication of a positive result, it is expected that the
patient's physician will follow-up with additional tests to obtain a definitive
diagnosis.
CombiMatrix encourages those who are interested in this test to review the
presentation and to contact the Company if there are questions.
CombiMatrix Corporation is a diversified biotechnology business that develops
proprietary technologies, including products and services in the areas of drug
development, genetic analysis, molecular diagnostics, nanotechnology and defense
and homeland security markets, as well as in other potential markets where our
products and services could be utilized. The technologies we have developed
include a platform technology to rapidly produce user-defined, in-situ synthesized,
oligonucleotide arrays for use in identifying and determining the roles of genes,
gene mutations and proteins. This technology has a wide range of potential applications
in the areas of genomics, proteomics, biosensors, drug discovery, drug development,
diagnostics, combinatorial chemistry, material sciences and nanotechnology.
Other technologies include proprietary molecular synthesis and screening methods
for the discovery of potential new drugs. Combimatrix Molecular Diagnostics,
Inc. ("CMDX"), our wholly owned subsidiary located in Irvine, California,
has developed capabilities of producing arrays that utilize bacterial artificial
chromosomes, which also enable genetic analysis. CMDX functions primarily as
a diagnostics reference laboratory.