TORONTO, June 6 /CNW/ - Spectral Diagnostics Inc. ("Spectral") today announces the first global presentation of its proprietary Endotoxin Activity Assay ("EAA(TM)"), for use in veterinary medicine. Mads Kjelgaard-Hansen, DVM, PhD, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences Faculty of Life Sciences University of Copenhagen will present positive data on the use of EAA(TM) in the canine population at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, in Seattle, Washington, June 6 to 9, 2007.
Spectral continues to expand the use of EAA(TM) in various clinical areas, including veterinary medicine. The data to be presented supports the use of EAA(TM) in a non-human patient population. As in humans, Endotoxin has long been suspected as contributing to illness in many animals. Spectral is exploring the utility of EAA(TM) in dogs and horses, specifically race horses, where intestinal translocation of Endotoxin often leads to a fatal outcome, but can be successfully treated if diagnosed early. The expanded use of EAA(TM) in veterinary medicine is being studied at several sites in Canada, the United States and Denmark.
Endotoxin is the primary mediator stimulating the inflammatory cascade and often leads to multiple organ failure and severe sepsis. It is also implicated as the primary cause of complications in end stage renal disease, burns and organ transplantation. The gastrointestinal tract is a large reserve for Endotoxin which, if released into the bloodstream, is a potent trigger of a severe inflammatory response. Spectral's EAA(TM) is the only Endotoxin assay with regulatory approval from the FDA, Health Canada and EU regulatory agencies for clinical use. It also receives strong approval ratings from hospital laboratories which appreciate rapid results and straightforward methodology.
"Therapeutic companies are realizing the value of early biomarkers in the determination of an individual patient's risk and subsequent response to disease management. The EAA(TM) is well positioned to quickly advance the medical and veterinary communities towards early recognition and intervention in endotoxin-related diseases," stated Dr. Paul Walker, President & CEO of Spectral.
Spectral is a developer of innovative technologies for comprehensive disease management. Spectral provides accurate and timely information to clinicians enabling the early initiation of appropriate and targeted therapy. Current products include Spectral's FDA approved rapid diagnostic for sepsis (EAA(TM)) and its FDA approved rapid diagnostic for West Nile Virus (RapidWN(TM)), as well as a range of other biological reagents. Spectral's common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol SDI.
Information in this news release that is not current or historical factual information may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of securities laws. Implicit in this information, particularly in respect of the future outlook of Spectral and anticipated events or results, are assumptions based on beliefs of Spectral's senior management as well as information currently available to it. While these assumptions were considered reasonable by Spectral at the time of preparation, they may prove to be incorrect. Readers are cautioned that actual results are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the availability of funds and resources to pursue R&D projects, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the ability of Spectral to take advantage of business opportunities in the biomedical industry, the granting of necessary approvals by regulatory authorities as well as general economic, market and business conditions, and could differ materially from what is currently expected.
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