SOURCE: SpectraScience, Inc.
Company Named in the Top 50 Publicly Traded Biotech Firms by the American Registry
SAN DIEGO, CA–(Marketwire – July 27, 2010) – SpectraScience, Inc. (
According to the article about 20 million endoscopic procedures are performed annually in the U.S. and key factors driving growth in procedures includes the aging population and increasing prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders.
“One of the most exciting areas of technology development for gastroenterology is enhanced imaging modalities,” says author Staylo. “Researchers are continually looking for new ways to improve the accuracy and diagnostic utility of endoscopic screening methods.”
Jim Hitchin, CEO of SpectraScience, said, “We are pleased to have been named in the top 50 publicly traded biotech firms by the American Registry and to also have received significant attention at this year’s Digestive Disease Week (DDW), which led to this article highlighting our technology for the medical community. This shows that SpectraScience is making a name for itself with its state of the art technology.”
Benefits of WavSTAT Technology
- Doesn’t require physical interpretation of screening results, but gives results in objective, standardized format
- Both a therapeutic and diagnostic device so it can remove abnormal tissue at the exact location where it is detected
- Enables physicians to identify where to biopsy rather than perform physical biopsies on a random basis
- Capable of detecting dysplasia at deeper level than other image enhancement technologies
About WavSTAT
The WavSTAT Optical Biopsy System employs a spectrophotometry technique called Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) to optically illuminate and analyze tissue using a standard biopsy forceps. The System uses an optical fiber to send cool, safe UV laser light into suspected tissue, where the light reflects back to a computer at different frequencies, depending on the type of tissue. For example, in abnormal tissue, cells fluoresce differently than in healthy tissue and have a different “signature” that our system can interpret as either normal or abnormal. This can greatly assist the physician by providing an additional indication, displaying a green light for normal tissue and a red light for abnormal tissue. If the tissue appears abnormal, physicians can also use the WavSTAT System to biopsy the tissue.
The WavSTAT has FDA clearance to market for detecting pre-cancerous and cancerous tissue in the colon. The Company made several upgrades to its original technology before introducing it at this year’s DDW and launching it in the European market. SpectraScience is planning a full-scale market launch in the US in late 2010 or early 2011. Currently the Company holds approximately 60 patents for its optical probes and underlying technology.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause SpectraScience’s actual results to differ materially from results discussed in forward-looking statements. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by SpectraScience in this news release, its most recent Form 10-K and in SpectraScience’s other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect SpectraScience’s business. These forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the cautions and risk factors filed by SpectraScience in its annual report on Form 10-K and other documents.
About SpectraScience, Inc.
SpectraScience is a San Diego based medical device company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets spectrophotometry systems capable of determining whether tissue is normal, pre-cancerous or cancerous without physically removing tissue from the body. The WavSTAT Optical Biopsy System uses light to optically scan tissue and provide the physician with an immediate analysis. With FDA approval for sale in the U.S. and the CE Mark for the European Union, the WavSTAT System is the first commercially available product that incorporates this innovative technology for clinical use. The Company’s LUMA imaging technology has received FDA approval for an optical non-invasive system that is proven to more effectively detect cervical cancer precursors than conventional methods available in the market today.
Contact:
SpectraScience, Inc.
Jim Hitchin
Chief Executive Officer
(858) 847-0200 x201
Hayden Communications
Investor Relations
Todd Pitcher
(858)-518-1387