ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Sept. 30, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Biomoda, Inc. (OTCBB:BMOD), a diagnostics company focused on the development of accurate, inexpensive, and noninvasive in-vitro tests for the early detection of cancer, announced Dr. Thomas Bauer will read the follow-up CT scans and other data on study participants as part of the longitudinal component of the research of the Phase II clinical trial of its assay. Dr. Bauer is the Principal Investigator (PI) overseeing the Phase II clinical trial of Biomoda's early-stage diagnostic for lung cancer.
"Dr. Bauer's work on our study is a significant step toward proving the usefulness of the CyPath(R) assay as an early screening tool for lung and other cancers," Biomoda President John Cousins said. "Repeat screenings under the longitudinal part of the study will probably save lives in our study cohort as well as provide additional data critical to FDA approval of the assay."
Dr. Bauer is chief of thoracic surgery at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, Christiana Care Health System, in Delaware as well as clinical assistant professor of surgery at Jefferson Medical College and adjunct assistant professor of biological sciences at the University of Delaware. He has led several lung and esophageal cancer studies and heads up Christiana's participation in the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP).
I-ELCAP is a group of 52 institutions in nine countries dedicated to advancing the knowledge base for early detection and treatment of lung cancer. Dr. Bauer's work with Biomoda follows the I-ELCAP Enrollment and Screening Protocol updated and published on Feb. 10, 2009.
"In addition to his thoracic surgery practice and his faculty positions, Dr. Bauer is widely recognized by his peers as one of the top lung cancer researchers in the field. We are extraordinarily lucky to have his expertise and experience on our study," Cousins said.
The Biomoda diagnostic, trademarked under the name CyPath(R), is based on a patented porphyrin-based compound that binds to cancer cells and fluoresces red under ultraviolet light. Under the guidance of a respiratory therapist, study volunteers provide a deep-lung sputum sample that is screened for cancer cells with both the CyPath(R) assay and traditional Pap staining. Participants also undergo a CT scan.
Based in Albuquerque, N.M., Biomoda is a cancer diagnostics company focused on the development of accurate, inexpensive and noninvasive in-vitro tests for the early detection of cancer.