Blood test for Stroke

Proteome Sciences PLC 2 May 2002 PROTEOME SCIENCES plc PRESS RELEASE Proteome Sciences Announces High Specificity Blood Test for Stroke 2nd May, 2002 Proteome Sciences plc ('Proteome Sciences') a leading company in proteomics and gene expression, announces the release of highly significant results from new data for its stroke marker in blood that should now enable the test to be used in clinical applications. No such test is currently available. Using high sensitivity protein separation techniques, Proteome Sciences has identified biomarkers in blood to diagnose stroke and which can also differentiate between stroke and heart attack (AMI). The latest data shows that the assay has high specificity (100%) sensitivity (68.2%) and positive predictive accuracy (100%) in a non-invasive procedure. These results will be provided to the short list of strategic licensing partners currently in active discussions with Proteome Sciences over licensing and commercialisation. Stroke is a major cause of death worldwide and is the third leading cause of death in the USA where the total annual cost is $30bn with 160,000 deaths and approximately 750,000 Americans having new or recurrent strokes. In addition to the current research focus in stroke to differentiate between ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke, Proteome Sciences announced in February that it had entered into a collaborative research agreement with ReNeuron Holdings plc (neural stem cell technology) to identify proteins expressed in brain repair in response to stroke as possible therapeutics or drug targets. Proteome Sciences' stroke programme demonstrates the broad flexibility and utility of proteomics in addressing major areas of unmet need in disease and by developing applications for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic purposes using leading edge technology and skills to deliver results in a timely and effective manner. Christopher Pearce, Chief Executive of Proteome Sciences said : 'We are very encouraged by the excellent results obtained from the University Cantonal Hospital, Geneva in specificity and predictive accuracy for the stroke test. This should accelerate the rapid development of a blood test for clinical applications and will allow us to concentrate our research more fully on differentiating between the two types of stroke, haemorrhagic and ischaemic. In combination with our collaboration with ReNeuron plc, this gives Proteome Sciences a major mandate in the field of stroke diagnosis, prognosis and drug targets for therapeutic treatment'. - Ends - For further information please contact: Proteome Sciences plc Tel : +44 (0) 1932 865065 Christopher Pearce, Chief Executive E-Mail : christopher.pearce@proteome.co.uk www.proteome.co.uk Public Relations for Proteome Sciences Ikon Associates Adrian Shaw Tel : +44 (0) 1483 271291 Mobile : + 44(0) 797 9900733 E-Mail : adrian@ikon-associates.com Notes to Editors Proteome Sciences plc applies high sensitivity proteomics to identify and characterise differential protein expression in diseases for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic applications. It has to date developed sensitive blood assays for stroke, nvCJD, BSE and solid organ transplantation. The main focus of its research currently addresses neurological, neurodegenerative, diabetes/obesity, oncology and cardiovascular conditions. Commercialisation of these programmes will be effected through strategic partnerships. Proteome Sciences is also the largest shareholder in Intronn Inc., the US Company that has developed SMaRTTM, a technology able to modify gene expression at the mRNA level. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange