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National Cancer Institute Funds Second Year of Grant to Guided Therapeutics to Commercialize Non-invasive Cervical Cancer Detec


Published on 2010-08-24 06:20:32 - Market Wire
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NORCROSS, Ga.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--[ Guided Therapeutics, Inc. ] (GT) (OTCBB: GTHP) today announced that it was awarded $1.0 million to fund the second year of a $2.5 million grant from the [ National Cancer Institute ] (NCI) announced in 2009.

"We believe that the award continuation also indicates a high level of confidence in our technology by the NCI reviewers."

The three-year grant provides additional resources to commercialize and bring to market the LightToucha" non-invasive cervical cancer detection device and single-patient-use disposable.

aThe continuation of the grant provides additional non-dilutive resources for us to complete the regulatory process, include design enhancements and begin manufacturing LightTouch devices and disposables,a said Mark L. Faupel, Ph.D., President and CEO of GT. aWe believe that the award continuation also indicates a high level of confidence in our technology by the NCI reviewers.a

GT has been awarded approximately $6 million in six consecutive grants from the NCI to develop the new, pain-free test for detecting cervical disease.

The GT LightTouch technology scans the cervix with light to identify cancer and pre-cancer painlessly and non-invasively. The technology distinguishes between normal and diseased tissue, by detecting biochemical and morphological changes at the cellular level. Unlike Pap or HPV tests, the LightTouch test does not require a tissue sample or laboratory analysis, and is designed to provide results immediately. The technology is designed as a device employing a single-use disposable patient interface.

Results of a multi-center pivotal clinical trial showed that LightTouch detected cervical disease up to two years earlier than Pap test, HPV test, colposcopy and biopsy. The LightTouch is designed to detect disease early, when treatment is most effective, and to eliminate unnecessary testing saving the healthcare system money. For more information on the clinical trial, visit [ www.guidedinc.com/asccp2010.htm ].

About Guided Therapeutics

Guided Therapeutics, Inc. ([ OTCBB: GTHP ]) is developing a rapid and painless test for the early detection of disease that leads to cervical cancer. The technology is designed to provide an objective result at the point of care, thereby improving the management of cervical disease. Unlike Pap and HPV tests, the device does not require a painful tissue sample and results are known immediately. GT has also entered into a partnership with Konica Minolta Opto to develop a non-invasive test for Barretta™s Esophagus using the LightTouch technology platform. For more information, visit GTa™s web site [ www.guidedinc.com ].

The Guided Therapeutics LightToucha" Non-invasive Cervical Cancer Detection Device is an investigational device and is limited by federal law to investigational use.

The project described was supported by Award Number R44CA110149 from the National Cancer Institute. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Cancer Institute or the National Institutes of Health.

aSafe Harbora Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. A number of the matters and subject areas discussed in this news release that are not historical or current facts deal with potential future circumstances and developments. The discussion of such matters and subject areas is qualified by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations generally and also may materially differ from Guided Therapeuticsa™ actual future experience involving any of or more of such matters and subject areas. Such risks and uncertainties include: the early stage of products in development, the uncertainty of market acceptance of products, the uncertainty of development or effectiveness of distribution channels, the intense competition in the medical device industry, the uncertainty of capital to develop products, the uncertainty of regulatory approval of products, dependence on licensed intellectual property, as well as those that are more fully described from time to time under the heading aRisk Factorsa in Guided Therapeuticsa™ reports filed with the SEC, including Guided Therapeuticsa™ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and subsequent quarterly reports.

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