CIPH Ciphergen Biosystems (MM)

FREMONT, Calif., Nov. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CIPH) and Ohio State University Research Foundation (OSURF) today announced a collaborative agreement to develop and clinically validate a diagnostic test to detect thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a hematologic disease. "A clinical diagnostic test that can rapidly detect deficiencies in the enzyme activity associated with TTP will help physicians more effectively manage this devastating disease," said Haifeng M. Wu, M.D., Assistant Professor of Pathology and Medicine and Director of Clinical Coagulation Laboratory at Ohio State University Medical Center. "This test will help physicians determine when to initiate plasma exchange and monitor response to this therapy." Annual testing opportunities exist to 1) diagnose patients with TTP; 2) evaluate patient responses to therapy; and 3) monitor patients during clinical remission to prevent recurrences of the disease. "Working together with Dr. Wu and Ohio State University Research Foundation, we will optimize a SELDI-based test, which has the advantage of reproducibly and accurately measuring the product of the enzymatic reaction that underlies this disease," said Eric T. Fung, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer for Ciphergen Biosystems. "Current testing methods to diagnose TTP lack this quantitation and ease of use." Under the terms of the agreement, OSURF and Ciphergen will optimize the assay to measure enzyme and antibody inhibition activity, and will jointly conduct multi-center studies to validate the test. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. About Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) TTP is a blood disorder characterized by low platelets, low red blood cell count (caused by premature breakdown of the cells), neurological abnormalities and sometimes abnormalities in kidney function. In most cases, this disease is caused by a deficiency in or auto-antibodies to an enzyme called ADAMTS13, which cleaves von Willebrand Factor. Loss of this enzyme causes platelet clumping and red blood cell destruction that are the hallmarks of TTP. 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/hematology, 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 Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: 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 development and performance of a clinical diagnostic test for TTP and the advantages of such a test compared to current testing methods. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements due to various factors, including the possibility that Ciphergen and its partner may not be able to conduct studies which validate the clinical diagnostic test for TTP or otherwise successfully develop such a test. 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. DATASOURCE: Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. CONTACT: Sue Carruthers, Investor Relations, Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc., +1-510-505-2233; or media, Daryl Messinger of WeissComm Partners, +1-415-946-1062, for Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. Web site: http://www.ciphergen.com/

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