Bio-Light Israeli Life Sciences Investments Ltd. (TASE:BOLT) portfolio company Zetiq Technologies Ltd. reports positive results from the second branch of a clinical trial for the company's early-stage cancer diagnostic technology. The trial aimed to diagnose early-stage cervical cancer using only a smear, similar to a PAP smear, in order to develop a product for sampling tests.
The objective of this trial was to measure the ability of the diagnostic technology, by differential coloring (staining) and morphological identification, to spot early-stage cervical cancer, including the pre-cancer stage, in order to enable women to obtain early and life-saving treatment.
The trial was conducted that the National Cancer Institute in Hungary and at Maccabi Healthcare Services in Israel.
The trial achieved an average sensitivity rate of 94% in spotting and identifying early dysplasia (pre-cancer) stage cells, 97% success in spotting and identifying moderate to severe dysplasia, and 100% success in spotting and identifying squamous cell carcinoma. The test also had a specificity rate of 85%.
The test sensitivity was higher than the sensitivity of the current standard diagnostic test, the PAP smear, which has a sensitivity of 81%. It also was able to identify the human papillomavirus virus (HPV), which can, under certain circumstances, lead to cervical cancer. The HPV test has a sensitivity of 80%.
The results of the current and preceding trials indicate that Zetiq and its cervical cancer diagnostic technology can more accurately and effectively detect the disease than current methods at all stages of the disease's development, enabling early treatment with the chances of high recovery rates.
Biolight's share price rose 6.1% in morning trading to NIS 0.628, giving a market cap of NIS 43 million.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on June 22, 2010
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