New Cholestech LDX System Test Makes Statin Management Easier

In-Office Test Combines Lipid Profile and ALT in one 


HAYWARD, Calif., Aug. 28  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cholestech Corporation (NASDAQ:CTEC), a leading provider of alternate site health management solutions for chronic diseases, announces the launch of its new Lipid Profile*ALT test cassette.  This new, CLIA waived cassette combines a lipid profile with ALT (alanine aminotransferase), the most common marker for liver damage.  Physicians now have one convenient test to obtain laboratory-accurate results for lipids and ALT in just five minutes, making statin management more efficient.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060504/NYTH042 )

Statin use is on the rise, indicating there is now a greater need among physicians for the ease and productiveness of the combined cassette. According to Consumers Union and Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs, prescriptions for statins rose approximately 500,000 a month, or 3.9 percent, between October 2005 and December 2006.  Additionally, lipid and liver monitoring are recommended when using certain antihypertensive drugs as well as a variety of other prescription drugs.  Tests are performed prior to treatment to establish a baseline level and periodically thereafter to monitor drug effectiveness and determine the appropriate therapeutic course of action for patients.

For the first time, physicians in the U.S. can monitor statin patients' lipid results and liver enzymes on the Cholestech LDX in the physician office lab with just a single fingerstick.  Clinicians confirm that face-to-face consultation makes a stronger impact on the patient, thus improving adherence to a therapy plan.  This teachable moment is facilitated by physician office lab testing, as opposed to the delays associated with sending samples to off-site labs.  The new, combined cassette offers the convenience of receiving lipid and ALT results from just one simple fingerstick, thereby increasing office efficiency and patient comfort.  Test results are available in just five minutes.

"As the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and the subsequent use of statins continue to rise, a system like the Cholestech LDX and the new combined Lipid Profile*ALT cassette will serve the medical community well with convenience, accuracy and opportunity for increased patient adherence," said Warren E. Pinckert II, Cholestech President and CEO.  He further stated, "We plan to expand our production level for the new cassette as this trend develops."

About Cholestech

Cholestech is committed to enabling people to lead longer, healthier and more active lives. Cholestech provides easy to use, accessible diagnostic tools and information to health care practitioners in over 35 countries around the world. Cholestech offers efficient and economic diagnostic testing for cholesterol and related lipids, blood glucose and glycemic control, and liver enzymes at the point of care. Health care providers can use the CLIA waived Cholestech LDX(R) and GDX(TM)* Systems and the hs-CRP test, which is cleared by the FDA for use in moderate complexity labs, to initiate and monitor the progress of patient therapy. By providing effective disease management solutions, Cholestech's goal is to be a leading provider of diagnostic tools and information for immediate risk assessment and therapeutic monitoring of heart disease, inflammatory disorders and diabetes. *The GDX system is 510(k) cleared for prescription home use and, accordingly, is CLIA waived.

Cholestech LDX is a registered trademark and Cholestech GDX is a trademark of Cholestech Corporation. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners. For more information about Cholestech and its products visit us on the Web at http://www.cholestech.com/.

  CTEC-G

  Contact:
  Angie Cecil
  HLD/Blankman Public Relations
  [phone]
  

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DATASOURCE: Cholestech Corporation



CONTACT: Angie Cecil of HLD|Blankman Public Relations, [phone],

, for Cholestech Corporation



Web site:  http://www.cholestech.com/

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