RUTHERFORD, N.J., Feb. 26, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cancer Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:CGIX) ("CGI" or the "Company"), an emerging leader in DNA-based diagnostics, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has allowed its patent claims related to the Company's proprietary methods for detecting the subtype of renal cortical neoplasm present in a patient sample. The patent application (14/078,726) is expected to obtain an issued patent number during the second quarter of 2014.
This latest patent builds on the intellectual property portfolio the Company has already gained for kidney cancer diagnostics. In December 2013, Cancer Genetics was awarded U.S. Patent No. 8,603,948, covering a panel of proprietary probes directed to detecting various types of renal cortical neoplasms. The methodology that has received allowance for patent in this latest application utilizes those patented probes.
"This latest application protects the unique methodologies developed by our team, while expanding our robust intellectual property portfolio in the field of molecular diagnostics and clinical genomics," stated Panna Sharma, CEO of CGI. "By improving detection of the specific subtype of a patient's kidney cancer, we are able to offer a truly personalized approach that allows us to provide more value for renal cancer patients and their care providers."
There are over 60,000 new cases of kidney cancer each year in the U.S. and approximately 14,000 related deaths. Kidney cancer is the sixth-leading cancer type in males in the U.S., and its incidence rate is increasing at nearly 4% per year. There is a significant need to reduce the time to initial treatment and, at the same time, establish new non-invasive genomic methods to aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment selection.
New data further validating CGI's UroGenRA™-Kidney test, generated as part of a collaborative study conducted with the Cleveland Clinic, will be presented on March 3 at the annual United States & Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP) meeting. In the study, 191 pathology specimens from renal cancer patients were analyzed using CGI's proprietary genomic microarray test, which enables accurate classification of kidney cancer among the four major subtypes and predicts whether the cancer is benign or malignant. The test has been validated to work across sample types ranging from fine-needle aspirate to paraffin-embedded and formalin-fixed tissue, making it widely usable for both new cases as well as cases that are not diagnosable using traditional methods.
About Cancer Genetics:
Cancer Genetics, Inc. is an emerging leader in DNA-based cancer diagnostics, servicing some of the most prestigious medical institutions in the world. Our tests target cancers that are difficult to diagnose and predict treatment outcomes. These cancers include hematological, urogenital and HPV-associated cancers. We also offer a comprehensive range of non-proprietary oncology-focused tests and laboratory services that provide critical genomic information to healthcare professionals, as well as biopharma and biotech companies. Our state-of-the-art reference lab is focused entirely on maintaining clinical excellence and is both CLIA certified and CAP accredited and has licensure from several states including New York State. We have established strong research collaborations with major cancer centers such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering, The Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic and the National Cancer Institute. For further information, please see www.cancergenetics.com.
Forward Looking Statements:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements pertaining to future financial and/or operating results, future growth in research, technology, clinical development and potential opportunities for Cancer Genetics, Inc. products and services, along with other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management constitute forward-looking statements. Any statements that are not historical fact (including, but not limited to, statements that contain words such as "will," "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates") should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and/or commercialization of potential products, risks of cancellation of customer contracts or discontinuance of trials, uncertainty in the results of clinical trials or regulatory approvals, need and ability to obtain future capital, maintenance of intellectual property rights and other risks discussed in the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Cancer Genetics disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.