Institutional Review Board rules test is non-significant risk to patients
NORCROSS, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Guided Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCBB & OTCQB: GTHP), developer of a rapid and painless testing platform that uses biophotonics for the early detection of disease, today announced that it has received Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval to begin testing its light-based detection technology in humans for Barrett’s Esophagus, a precursor for esophageal cancer. The IRB also categorized the technology as “non-significant risk,” which indicates the technology is fundamentally safe when used as directed.
“We are excited to move ahead with the second product based on our patented light-based, disease detection platform,” said Mark L. Faupel, CEO and president of Guided Therapeutics, Inc. “Receiving IRB approval, as well as being classified as “non-significant risk,” are both very important achievements for advancing this product extension. Our next milestones will be to complete the development of our prototypes and begin the first clinical study, which we expect to initiate in the second or third quarter of 2011.”
The new product for the detection of Barrett’s Esophagus, a precursor for esophageal cancer, is being co-developed with Konica Minolta Opto, Inc. of Japan and is based on the company’s LightTouch™ non-invasive cervical cancer detection technology, which is undergoing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s premarket approval process.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), esophageal cancer ranks just below cervical cancer in newly diagnosed cases. New cases of esophageal cancer are estimated at 410,000 worldwide, with more than 16,000 new cases a year and more than 14,000 deaths in the U.S. alone. Barrett’s esophagus is believed to be caused by excessive acid reflux.
About The Technology Platform
The LightTouch disease detection platform, which consists of a base unit and single-patient-use calibration disposable, scans tissue with light to identify cancer and pre-cancer painlessly and non-invasively. The proprietary, patented biophotonic technology is able to distinguish between normal and diseased tissue by detecting biochemical and morphological changes at the cellular level. Unlike traditional tests, the Guided Therapeutics test does not require laboratory analysis or a tissue sample, is designed to provide results immediately and eliminate costly unnecessary testing.
About Guided Therapeutics
Guided Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCBB & OTCQB: GTHP) is developing a rapid and painless testing platform for the early detection of disease, based on its patented biophotonic technology that utilizes light to detect disease at the cellular level. The company’s first product, the LightTouch™, is a non-invasive device used to detect cervical disease instantly and at the point of care. In a multi-center clinical trial, with women at risk for cervical disease, the LightTouch was able to detect cervical cancer up to two years earlier than conventional modalities. LightTouch is designed to provide an objective result at the point-of-care, thereby improving the management of cervical disease. Guided Therapeutics has also entered into a partnership with Konica Minolta Opto to develop a non-invasive test for Barrett’s Esophagus using the LightTouch technology platform. For more information, visit: www.guidedinc.com.
The Guided Therapeutics LightTouch™ Non-invasive Cervical Cancer Detection Device is an investigational device and is limited by federal law to investigational use.
“Safe Harbor” 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 Therapeutics’ 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 “Risk Factors” in Guided Therapeutics’ reports filed with the SEC, including Guided Therapeutics’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and subsequent quarterly reports.
CONTACT:
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Guided Therapeutics
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KEYWORDS: United States North America Georgia
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Clinical Trials Medical Devices Oncology
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