Health Discovery Corporation And DCL Medical Laboratories To Develop A Computer Assisted Diagnostic Test For Cervical Cancer

Main Category: Cervical Cancer / HPV Vaccine
Article Date: 08 May 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Health Discovery Corporation (OTCBB: HDVY), a leader in support vector machine (SVM) based molecular diagnostics development, and DCL Medical Laboratories LLC, Indianapolis, IN, a full-service clinical reference laboratory focused on women's health, today announced the signing of a Letter of Intent for the companies to jointly develop an SVM-based computer assisted diagnostic (CAD) test for the analysis of cervical cells. Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women throughout the world with more than 11,000 primary diagnoses and over 3,700 cancer related deaths annually. While testing for human papilloma virus, the causative agent of cervical cancer, and the recent availability of the HPV vaccine have both contributed to increased awareness of the disease, screening for cervical cancer by the Pap test remains the principle mechanism for detection of the disease. Through the application of the advancing technology of pattern recognition, this new SVM-based system is intended to further improve the sensitivity of the Pap test and augment the recent improvements in computer guided screening that have already significantly improved detection rates. In addition, images and interpretative data from this new SVM-based system may now be transmitted electronically, thus allowing remote review and collaborative interpretation. Effective screening is vital to preventing cancer. Early detection using advanced screening technologies provides the best chance for effective, minimally invasive treatment before abnormal cell changes progress to advanced cancer.

"We are very excited to be working with DCL's state-of-the-art clinical laboratory and their expert cytopathologists in the development of what could be the world's first SVM-based computer assisted diagnostic (CAD) system available to improve the sensitivity of screening for cervical cancer," said Stephen D. Barnhill, MD, Chairman and CEO of Health Discovery Corporation. "Using our patent protected SVM technology, we believe that our new screening system will further enhance current Pap systems in the detection of cellular abnormality. In addition, we believe that using currently available image capturing technology, our SVM-based image analysis could be made available for screening to physicians in clinical laboratory and hospital settings around the world via transmission and evaluation over the Internet."

"DCL is pleased to partner with Health Discovery Corporation in the development of novel computer based imaging systems to improve the sensitivity for the detection of cervical cancer," said Dr. Michael Hanbury, President and Chief Executive Officer of DCL. "This development opportunity extends DCL's commitment to offering leading cytology services and education programs and further demonstrates DCL's focus as a leading clinical laboratory specializing in women's health. DCL provides an excellent development partner by leveraging DCL's collective experience in cytopathology, clinical trials and product development, combined with an exceptional specimen library to facilitate the commercialization process. Partnering with HDC creates an opportunity for DCL to expand its participation in novel advancements in women's health diagnostics. We believe this expanded relationship will substantially strengthen the position of both companies and deliver significant commercial results for DCL and Health Discovery Corporation."

Financial terms of this Development Contract were not released.

About Health Discovery Corporation

Savannah-based Health Discovery Corporation (OTCBB: HDVY) is uniquely positioned in the field of pattern recognition technology. Through the application of its patent protected technology, HDC is a leader in SVM-based molecular diagnostics development in genomics and proteomics, as well as, image analysis. The Company's SVM and FGM pattern recognition tools have significant application potential in other sizable commercial markets such as radiology, financial markets, Internet search and spam, homeland security, and other areas where analysis of large volumes of complex data is required.

About DCL Medical Laboratories LLC

DCL Medical Laboratories is a full-service regional reference laboratory offering a broad menu of tests and services including specialty testing capabilities in molecular diagnostics. DCL also provides anatomic and molecular pathology services in global clinical trials for both pharmaceutical and medical device companies in partnership with the world's largest central laboratories and clinical research organizations. Following its recapitalization in late 2007, DCL has significantly expanded its testing capabilities and provides a unique collaborative development opportunity to expedite the development process for emerging diagnostic technologies. DCL is committed to being a preferred medical laboratory partner providing nationally recognized diagnostic services in women's health. From its founding, DCL has maintained a personal approach to delivering innovative and consultative pathology services that empower clients and improve lives. DCL is a private company with principal equity holdings by Thompson Street Capital Partners in St. Louis.

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27a of the Securities Acts of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Although the respective management teams of HDC and DCL believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, they can give no assurance that such expectations will prove correct.

Health Discovery Corporation