Prometheus Launches Next Generation IBD Diagnostic Test
San Diego, October 24, 2011 – Prometheus Laboratories Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical and diagnostic company, today announced the commercial launch of its proprietary PROMETHEUS® IBD sgi Diagnostic™ test. The PROMETHEUS IBD sgi Diagnostic is Prometheus’ 4th-generation IBD diagnostic test and the first and only test to combine serologic, genetic, and inflammation markers, hence “sgi”, in the proprietary Smart Diagnostic Algorithm for added diagnostic clarity.
This novel diagnostic test represents a significant advance in the Prometheus Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) franchise of diagnostic and prognostic tests and complements the innovative PROMETHEUS® Crohn’s Prognostic. PROMETHEUS IBD sgi Diagnostic aids healthcare providers in differentiating IBD vs non-IBD, and Crohn’s disease (CD) vs. ulcerative colitis (UC), in one comprehensive blood test. Evidence suggests IBD is primarily caused by a deregulated mucosal inflammatory response to intestinal bacteria in genetically susceptible individuals.
This new test will replace the currently available PROMETHEUS® IBD Serology 7 (except in New York where it is pending approval by the NY Department of Health).
“By now combining three important components strongly associated with IBD, serology (antibodies to bacteria), genetics, and inflammation markers, we believe this novel test represents a significant improvement in helping physicians diagnose their patients with suspected IBD,” said Joseph M. Limber, President and Chief Executive Officer of Prometheus. “This new test demonstrates an almost 20% relative improvement in differentiating CD versus UC as compared to our prior test”.
About IBD
IBD, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic inflammatory condition of the intestinal tract. Symptoms of the disease may include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and rectal bleeding. Patients may require long-term medical care, including hospitalizations, surgeries and therapeutics. The condition can be difficult to diagnose and manage clinically while consuming a substantial amount of healthcare resources in terms of physician time, procedures and medications. Approximately 1.4 million Americans suffer from IBD.
About Prometheus
Prometheus Laboratories Inc. is committed to improving lives through the development and commercialization of novel pharmaceutical and diagnostic products that enable physicians to provide greater individualized patient care. Prometheus is a leader in applying the principles of personalized medicine to the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and is applying these principles to oncology. Its strategy includes the marketing and delivery of pharmaceutical products complemented by proprietary diagnostic testing services. By integrating therapeutics and diagnostics, Prometheus believes it can provide physicians with more targeted solutions to optimize care for their patients. Prometheus has become part of Nestlé Health Science in July 2011. Prometheus’ corporate offices are located in San Diego, California. For more information about Prometheus, please visit www.prometheuslabs.com.
About Nestlé Health Science
Nestlé Health Science, a fully-owned subsidiary of Nestlé S.A., is operational since January 1, 2011 and has worldwide headquarters in Lutry, Switzerland. Nestlé Health Science offers nutritional solutions for people with specific dietary needs related to illnesses, disease states or the special challenges of different life stages. For more information about Nestlé Health Science, please visit www.nestlehealthscience.com.
