Biohit Oyj Press Release November 3, 2014 at 3:30 pm local time (EET)
Biohit Oyj re-launches ColonView which is a diagnostic quick test for early detection, screening and diagnostics of colorectal cancer (colon cancer). ColonView test designed by Biohit has been available for research purpose only, but from now on is available also for the clinical use. CE-marked ColonView test are available via Biohit distributors internationally from November 2014 on.
Cancer of the colon and rectum continues to be one of the leading causes of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide, more than 1.2 million new cases and 609.000 annual deaths (1). Cancer of the colon and rectum develops over a long period through well-defined precursor lesions which can be detected on colonoscopy and removed before their progression to cancer. Cancer of the colon and rectum is one of the few human malignancies which is amenable to population-based screening.
In addition to traditional tests for fecal occult blood (FOB), the recent years have witnessed the development of new tests based on completely different technology, i.e., the fecal immunochemical test (FIT). One of these new-generation FIT tests is ColonView, developed in Finland. ColonView is particularly suitable for colon and rectum cancer screening, because of its higher sensitivity and specificity as compared with the traditional FOB tests. It is easy to use, and inexpensive. ColonView is one of the two potential alternatives for the colon and rectum cancer screening program expected to start at Barretos Cancer Hospital (Brazil) in 2015.
The development of FIT technology-based tests started in Finland already in the late 1970s, when Labsystems Oyj, founded and directed by Osmo Suovaniemi, developed human blood specific Fecatwin/Feca EIA test (patented i.a. in USA) for screening and diagnostics of colon cancer. This invention is the basis for the FIT-technology in ColonView. (2,3,4)
CEO Semi Korpela, Biohit Oyj: With the easy- to-use Biohit ColonView quick test hemoglobin and hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex are analyzed. This state-of-the-art test detects fecal occult blood derived from both the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract - with improved sensitivity for even small benign lesions (polyps) and cancer precursors (adenomas). ColonView tests results are available in 15 minutes.`
Read more: Finnish FIT test for more efficient screening of colorectal cancer
www.biohithealthcare.com/scientific/finnish-fit-test-for-more-efficient-screening-of-colorectal-cancer
Attachment: ColonView brochure (pdf)
References:
(1) Ferlay J et al GLOBOCAN 2008, Cancer Incidence and Mortality Worldwide: IARC CancerBase No. 10. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2010. Available from: www.globocan.iarc.fr last accessed April 22, 2013.
(2) US patents 4,092,120 and 4,427,769
(3) www.biohithealthcare.com/about-us/history: Aggressive innovation and patenting strategy
(4) Pye G et al 1989, An evaluation of Fecatwin/Feca EIA; a faecal occult blood test for detecting colonic neoplasia. Eur J Surg Oncol. 1989 Oct;15(5):446-8.
Additional information:
CEO Semi Korpela, Biohit Oyj
tel. +358 9 773 861
investor.relations@biohit.fi
www.biohithealthcare.com
Biohit in brief
Biohit Oyj is a globally operating Finnish biotechnology company. Biohit’s mission is “Innovating for Health” – we produce innovative products and services to promote research and early diagnosis. Biohit is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, and has subsidiaries in Italy and the UK. Biohit's Series B share (BIOBV) is quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki in the Small cap/Healthcare group. www.biohithealthcare.com
