Imi Medical Innovations (AMEX:IME)
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IMI LungAlert(TM) test added to international lung cancer screening study
TORONTO, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Predictive medicine company IMI
International Medical Innovations Inc. (TSX:IMI, Amex:IME) announced today that
its LungAlert(TM) test for detection of early-stage lung cancer has been added
to a major international study on lung cancer screening. IMI signed an agreement
to join the Toronto site of the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program
(I-ELCAP), currently underway at sites around the world, and sponsored by the
National Cancer Institute and several medical imaging companies.
LungAlert is a non-invasive test for lung cancer that detects a cancer-
associated sugar in a sample of sputum. Patients cough sputum into a cup and a
sample of the sputum is placed on a LungAlert slide and treated with a series of
chemicals. The resulting color change is read with a spectrophotometer to
provide a numeric LungAlert value.
LungAlert will be integrated into a substudy at the lead Canadian I-ELCAP site,
Princess Margaret Hospital/University Health Network in Toronto. Led by
principal investigator Dr. Heidi Roberts, Associate Professor of Radiology at
the Department of Medical Imaging, 1,000 high-risk patients will each undergo
low-dose computed tomography (CT scan) twice - once at baseline and once at
one-year follow-up. At both time points patients will also be tested with
LungAlert. Data from the study will help determine the ability of LungAlert to
detect cancers among a high-risk population of smokers, and will also provide
data on the relationship between LungAlert values and the stage and location of
cancer.
"This will be the largest study undertaken with LungAlert to date," said Dr.
Brent Norton, IMI President and CEO. "Its ease of use and low cost mean the test
is well-suited to screening use, and studies like I-ELCAP can provide the
essential scientific foundation for its use. Working with leading institutions
like those involved in this study is vital to building awareness and acceptance
for a new approach to screening."
Earlier studies with LungAlert have shown that it detects early-stage cancers at
a time when they can often be cured. The most recent data was presented in July
at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting, and showed that
LungAlert detected 65 per cent of all cancers in a population that included
smokers and people with benign lung diseases.
Lung cancer is the most-common cancer in the world and leading cancer killer,
responsible for 173,000 deaths in North America in 2002. More than 80 per cent
of all lung cancers occur in current or former smokers, of whom there are
roughly one billion worldwide. There are currently no low-cost screening tests
available for lung cancer.
"Joining the I-ELCAP is consistent with our strategy of leveraging partnerships
to participate in major studies. IMI will help fund the LungAlert substudy, but
at a level far less than what it would have cost to undertake a trial of this
scope on our own," said Dr. Norton.
About IMI
IMI is a world leader in predictive medicine, dedicated to developing rapid,
non-invasive tests for the early detection of life-threatening diseases,
particularly cardiovascular disease and cancer. The company's lead product is
the world's first non-invasive cholesterol test system. IMI is also developing a
suite of screening tests for cancer, including ColorectAlert(TM) for colorectal
cancer, LungAlert(TM) for lung cancer, and a new test for early-stage breast
cancer. For further information, please visit the company's web site at
http://www.imimedical.com/.
This release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the company's
current expectation regarding future events. The forward-looking statements
involve risk and uncertainties. Actual events could differ materially from those
projected herein and depend on a number of factors including, but not limited
to, changing market conditions, successful and timely completion of clinical
studies, uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process, establishment
of corporate alliances and other risks detailed from time to time in the
company's quarterly, annual and other public filings.
DATASOURCE: IMI International Medical Innovations Inc.
CONTACT: Andrew Weir, Director, Communications
(416) 222-3449,