[STK]
[IN] PHA MTC MEQ
[SU] PDT
TO BUSINESS, HEALTH, AND MEDICAL EDITORS:
Prometheus Launches Next Generation IBD Diagnostic Test
SAN DIEGO, Oct. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Prometheus Laboratories Inc.,
a specialty pharmaceutical and diagnostic company, today announced the
commercial launch of its proprietary PROMETHEUS@ IBD sgi DiagnosticT
test. The PROMETHEUS IBD sgi Diagnostic is Prometheus' 4th-generation
IBD diagnostic test and the first and only test to combine serologic,
genetic, and inflammation markers, hence "sgi", in the proprietary
Smart Diagnostic Algorithm for added diagnostic clarity.
This novel diagnostic test represents a significant advance in the
Prometheus Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) franchise of diagnostic
and prognostic tests and complements the innovative PROMETHEUS@
Crohn's Prognostic. PROMETHEUS IBD sgi Diagnostic aids healthcare
providers in differentiating IBD vs non-IBD, and Crohn's disease (CD)
vs. ulcerative colitis (UC), in one comprehensive blood test. Evidence
suggests IBD is primarily caused by a deregulated mucosal inflammatory
response to intestinal bacteria in genetically susceptible
individuals.
This new test will replace the currently available PROMETHEUS@ IBD
Serology 7 (except in New York where it is pending approval by the NY
Department of Health).
"By now combining three important components strongly associated with
IBD, serology (antibodies to bacteria), genetics, and inflammation
markers, we believe this novel test represents a significant
improvement in helping physicians diagnose their patients with
suspected IBD," said Joseph M. Limber, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Prometheus. "This new test demonstrates almost 20% relative
improvement in differentiating CD versus UC as compared to our prior
test."
About IBD
IBD, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic
inflammatory condition of the intestinal tract. Symptoms of the
disease may include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and rectal
bleeding. Patients may require long-term medical care, including
hospitalizations, surgeries and therapeutics. The condition can be
difficult to diagnose and manage clinically while consuming a
substantial amount of healthcare resources in terms of physician time,
procedures and medications. Approximately 1.4 million Americans suffer
from IBD.
About Prometheus
Prometheus Laboratories Inc. is committed to improving lives through
the development and commercialization of novel pharmaceutical and
diagnostic products that enable physicians to provide greater
individualized patient care. Prometheus is a leader in applying the
principles of personalized medicine to the diagnosis and treatment of
gastrointestinal diseases and is applying these principles to
oncology. Its strategy includes the marketing and delivery of
pharmaceutical products complemented by proprietary diagnostic testing
services. By integrating therapeutics and diagnostics, Prometheus
believes it can provide physicians with more targeted solutions to
optimize care for their patients. Prometheus has become part of Nestle
Health Science in July 2011. Prometheus' corporate offices are
located in San Diego, California. For more information about
Prometheus, please visit www.prometheuslabs.com.
About Nestle Health Science
Nestle Health Science, a fully-owned subsidiary of Nestle S.A., is
operational since January 1, 2011 and has worldwide headquarters in
Lutry, Switzerland. Nestle Health Science offers nutritional solutions
for people with specific dietary needs related to illnesses, disease
states or the special challenges of different life stages. For more
information about Nestle Health Science, please visit
www.nestlehealthscience.com.
SOURCE Prometheus Laboratories Inc.
-0- 10/24/2011
/CONTACT: Beth Kriegel, Vice President, Finance & Treasurer of Prometheus Laboratories Inc., +1-858-410-2516
/Web Site: http://www.prometheuslabs.com / CO: Prometheus Laboratories Inc.; Nestle Health Science
ST: California
IN: PHA MTC MEQ
SU: PDT
PRN
-- LA91260 --
0000 10/24/2011 08:00:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
