Companies Collaborate To Develop A Computer Assisted Diagnostic Test For Cervical Cancer

Health Discovery Corporation, 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, 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."

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