TETERBORO, N.J., and FALMOUTH, Maine, May 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the nation's leading provider of
diagnostic testing, information and services, and Enterix Inc., a privately
held colorectal cancer screening company, today announced that they have
entered into an agreement to offer InSure(TM), Enterix' proprietary,
FDA-cleared test to detect human hemoglobin in fecal samples. Terms of the
agreement were not disclosed.
Studies show that InSure, an immunochemical test, is a more accurate
alternative to traditional guaiac-based fecal occult blood testing because it
eliminates false positive test results due to the consumption of certain foods
such as red meat or the use of common medications including aspirin. In
addition, studies indicate that InSure provides 87% sensitivity for colorectal
cancer detection and 97.8% specificity. InSure is a more patient-friendly
screening test for the early detection of colorectal cancer. Unlike other
colorectal cancer screening technologies, InSure is non-invasive and requires
no handling of fecal matter.
The American Cancer Society's Guidelines for the Early Detection of
Cancer, 2003, have been updated to reflect findings of a recently published
article in CA: Cancer Journal for Clinicians,(1) which concluded that there is
sufficient evidence to recommend fecal immunochemical testing for colorectal
cancer screening and the early detection of adenomatous polyps in an
average-risk population.
The new InSure technology provides increased accuracy and uncomplicated
specimen collection that is easy for patients to perform at home. "We believe
InSure is a significantly advanced colon cancer screening technology for
patients," said Joyce Schwartz, M.D., Vice President and Chief Laboratory
Officer of Quest Diagnostics. "Because specimen collection is easy and
requires no fecal handling, we expect that patients will be more apt to use
the test kit and return it for laboratory testing."
The current rate of patient adherence with recommended colorectal cancer
screening guidelines -- using any method -- is lower than for screening tests
for breast, cervical or prostate cancers. It is estimated that only 33% of
Americans over the age of 50 have been screened for colorectal cancer by fecal
occult blood testing within the past two years(2) -- versus 84% of American
women over the age of 45 who have been screened for cervical cancer by Pap
testing within the past three years.(3) For the 80 million people over the age
of 50 who are of average risk, the American Cancer Society recommends annual
colorectal cancer screenings. If detected and treated at an early stage, the
5-year relative survival rate for colorectal cancer is 90%.
"We look forward to collaborating with Quest Diagnostics," said Craig P.
Sands, President and CEO of Enterix. "Quest Diagnostics' extensive
distribution network and their substantial relationships with physicians
provide an exciting opportunity to meet a currently unmet market need and save
lives."
The test will be introduced early in the third quarter of 2003. Physicians
and patients who are interested in learning more about InSure may visit
www.enterix.com or www.questdiagnostics.com or may call Enterix toll-free at
800-531-3681, extension 10.
About Enterix
Enterix Inc. is dedicated to helping physicians and their patients screen
for life threatening diseases such as cancer. The first product developed for
Enterix' proprietary screening platform is the InSure Immunochemical Fecal
Occult Blood Test, for the detection of early warning signs of colorectal
cancer. Enterix has also identified and filed patent applications covering
novel genomic markers that identify the development of pre-cancerous
adenomatous polyps in the colon and rectum.
Founded in 1997, Enterix maintains operations in Falmouth, Maine, USA and
in Sydney, Australia. Detailed information on Enterix can be found on the
World Wide Web at www.enterix.com. Enterix can be reached at 1-800-531-3681
(USA), 1-800-55-65-75 (Australia) or by email at info@enterix.com.
About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated is the nation's leading provider of
diagnostic testing, information and services, providing insights that enable
healthcare professionals to make decisions that improve health. The company
offers the broadest access to diagnostic testing services in the United States
through its national network of laboratories and patient service centers, and
provides interpretive consultation through its extensive medical and
scientific staff. Quest Diagnostics is the leading provider of esoteric
testing, including gene-based medical testing, and also empowers healthcare
organizations and clinicians with state-of-the-art connectivity solutions that
improve patient care. Additional company information is available at:
http://www.questdiagnostics.com .
The statements in this press release which are not historical facts or
information may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and
outcomes to be materially different. Certain of these risks and uncertainties
may include, but are not limited to, unanticipated expenditures, changing
relationships with customers, suppliers and strategic partners, conditions of
the economy and other factors described in the Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
2002 Form 10-K and subsequent filings.
(1) CA Cancer J Clin 2003;53:44-55.
(2) National Health Interview Survey, 2000, National Center for Health
Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2002 -
American Cancer Society, Surveillance Research.
(3) Data from the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) Behavioral Risk
Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for 2000 and 2001.
SOURCE Quest Diagnostics Incorporated; Enterix Inc.
/CONTACT: Investors and Media, Christopher Stamm of Enterix Inc.,
+1-781-684-0770; or Investors, Laure Park, +1-201-393-5030; or Media, Jennifer
Somers of Quest Diagnostics, +1-201-393-5700/
/Web site: http://www.questdiagnostics.com http://www.enterix.com /
(DGX)