Ciphergen Chooses Mosaic To Develop Broad Reimbursement Strategy For Ovarian Tumor Triage Test

Main Category: Ovarian Cancer
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology;  Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 22 Dec 2006 - 0:00 PDT

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Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CIPH) today announced that it has teamed with Mosaic Health Care Consultants to develop reimbursement strategies and programs for its ovarian tumor triage test.

"The establishment of optimal reimbursement for our ovarian tumor diagnostic program is one crucial aspect of gaining rapid adoption by the medical community," said Gail S. Page, President and CEO of Ciphergen. "Mosaic is an ideal partner for us to work with given their extensive experience helping innovative healthcare diagnostic providers successfully secure reimbursement from public and private payers."

Mosaic specializes in reimbursement, health economics, and outcomes research for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and diagnostics clients. Ciphergen and Mosaic will work together to build and implement strong reimbursement strategies and tactics.

"We are looking forward to helping ensure that this exciting high-value molecular diagnostic test receives the appropriate level of recognition from both the clinical and payer communities," said Peter Mazonson, M.D., Principal and Co-founder of Mosaic Health Care Consultants.

About Ciphergen's Ovarian Cancer Diagnostic Program

Ciphergen has an advanced diagnostic program in ovarian cancer and has developed a panel of biomarkers that provides risk stratification information for ovarian cancer based on a series of studies involving over 2,000 clinical samples from more than five sites. Ciphergen is undertaking a prospective clinical trial to support submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for clearance as an in vitro diagnostic.

Ciphergen has a strategic alliance with Quest Diagnostics focused on commercializing the ovarian tumor triage test. Quest also has the option to develop and commercialize two additional Ciphergen tests.

In addition to developing a diagnostic test designed to distinguish between benign and malignant pelvic masses, studies are underway to predict recurrence of ovarian cancer and to provide additional tools to aid physicians in triaging women considered at high risk of ovarian cancer. Ciphergen's comprehensive diagnostic development program is being conducted with several leading collaborators at The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, University College London, and the University of Kentucky.

About Ovarian Cancer

Commonly known as the "silent killer," ovarian cancer leads to approximately 14,000 deaths each year in the United States. Approximately 23,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, with the majority in patients diagnosed with late stage disease where the cancer has spread beyond the ovary. The prognosis is poor in these patients, leading to the high mortality from this disease. A diagnostic test is needed that can provide adequate predictive value to stratify patients with a pelvic mass into high risk of invasive ovarian cancer versus those with low risk.

About Mosaic Health Care Consultants

Mosaic is a health care consulting firm specializing in reimbursement, health economics, and outcomes research for a wide spectrum of health care clients. Mosaic provides customers with the tools they need to demonstrate the clinical and economic utility of their products and to successfully secure reimbursement from public and private payers. Based in Larkspur, California, more information about Mosaic can be found on the web at http://www.mosaichealthcare.com.

About Ciphergen

Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. is dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of novel high-value diagnostic tests that help physicians diagnose, treat and improve outcomes for patients. Ciphergen, along with its prestigious scientific collaborators, has ongoing diagnostic programs in oncology, cardiology and women's health with an initial focus in ovarian cancer. Based in Fremont, California, more information about Ciphergen can be found on the web at http://www.ciphergen.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. For purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"), Ciphergen disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and claims the protection of the Safe Harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Act. Examples of such forward-looking statements include statements regarding the impact of Ciphergen's efforts to obtain reimbursement for the company's ovarian tumor triage test. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements due to various factors, including the possibility that despite the efforts of the company and its partner, reimbursement may not be obtained as quickly as expected or at all. Investors should consult Ciphergen's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-Q filed November 20, 2006, for further information regarding these and other risks related to the Company's business.

Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc.
http://www.ciphergen.com

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