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With Assistance from U.S. State Department's 'Bio-Industry Initiative' (BII) Program, Grant Life Sciences In-Licenses Proprietary Technology from Two Russian Scientists That Detects Presence of Cervical Cancer-Causing HPV Types 10:49a ET October 17, 2007 (Business Wire) Grant Life Sciences Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: GLIF) announced today the signing of a final agreement with Dr. Peter Sveshnikov and Dr. Vsevolod Kiselev of the Russian Federation, for the in-licensing of certain of their technologies that are highly complementary to Grants' antibody-based test for detecting cervical cancer. The intellectual property (IP) associated with the Sveshnikov/Kiselev technology has been developed as a result of funding from the U.S. State Department's Bio-Industry Initiative (BII) program. The BII is designed to foster medical and other biological research and development in the former Soviet Union by converting former biowarfare scientists to productive peacetime activities.
Sveshnikov/Kiselev have developed an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to detect specific cancer-causing proteins from the human papillomavirus (HPV) -- the obligate cause of cervical cancer -- within cervical mucous and cells (which make up liquid-based Pap samples). The test utilizes certain monoclonal antibodies against these cancer-causing HPV proteins for detection. Thus far, the test is designed to detect cancer-causing proteins from HPV types 16 and 18 which, collectively, are responsible for most cervical disease. This type-specific antigen test, once fully validated and expanded to include additional types of HPV associated with cervical dysplasia and cancer, is expected to be a synergistic and complementary test to existing Pap technology. It is expected to provide for low-cost HPV testing as currently performed in Western countries, without the need for additional cervical specimens beyond what is now taken. In addition, large capital outlays would not be required, since most laboratories can readily do ELISA testing.
Sveshnidov/Kiselev have already tested their technology with 1000 Russian samples to confirm the potential of this technology. Grant will be further validating with more specimens from Russia and other parts of the world.
"Grant now has two complementary cervical dysplasia or cancer diagnostic tests that can be used with blood serum or cervical mucous and cells," said Dr. Hun-Chi Lin, President and Chief Scientist at Grant. "Of course, a blood-based test might be perfectly suited for testing the 1.7 billion women worldwide who currently are not tested by Pap smear cytology. This inadequacy results in over 300,000 deaths per year. On the other hand, a test employing cervical mucous or cells is quite suitable to be used in Western medical venues, and has the potential to significantly reduce costs when compared to those attributable to current HPV DNA-testing. Moreover, it might dramatically decrease the costs associated for follow-up referral procedures that turn out to be overwhelmingly negative; these billions of dollars per year in needless medical expenses might be saved as a result."
About Grant Life Sciences Inc.
Grant Life Sciences Inc., a development stage company, engages in the research, development, marketing, and sale of diagnostic kits for the screening, monitoring, and diagnosis of diseases with emphasis on women's health, infectious diseases, and cancers.
Forward-Looking Safe Harbor Statement
With the exception of historical information, the matters discussed in this press release are "forward-looking statements" that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The actual future results of Grant Life Sciences could differ significantly from those statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include risks and uncertainties such as the inability to finance the company's operations or expansion, inability to hire and retain qualified personnel, changes in the general economic climate, including rising interest rates and unanticipated events such as terrorist activities, results of clinical trials, and market acceptance of the Company's products. In some cases, "forward-looking statements" can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue," or other comparable terminology. Although Grant Life Sciences believes that the expectations reflected in the "forward-looking" statements are reasonable, such statements should not be regarded as a representation by the Company, or any other person, that such "forward-looking statements" will be achieved. Grant Life Sciences undertakes no duty to update any of the "forward-looking statements," whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of the foregoing, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such "forward-looking statements." For further risk factors associated with our Company, review our SEC filings.
SOURCE: Grant Life Sciences Inc.
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