Press Release
In the News
Oncogenesis Advances Cervical Cancer Screening
Acquisition will accelerate commercialization of world’s 1st point-of-care screening test
OncoGenesis, Inc. Names Jovelle Fernandez, MD/PhD as CEO/President
Internationally recognized OB/GYN and healthcare businesswoman executive to lead company’s growth
Peter Gombrich, Founder, OncoGenesis, OncoGenesis, Inc
Furthermore, survival rates from Cervical Cancer in the US and around the world have been stagnant for a number of years. This suggests that we’ve reached a plateau in terms of our ability to address this disease with current approaches, including testing and vaccinating for human papillomavirus (HPV), which has emerged as the newest way to address this disease. While advancing the cause, even HPV detection and prevention will not fully address the challenge of effectively screening all women at risk. In markets where cervical cancer screening is limited or non-existent because of the cultural or practical challenges of cost-effectively and practically obtaining a sample to enable the complete screening process, iPap similarly is a game-changer.
Given the fact that 80% of women will at one time or another in their lives contract the human papillomavirus in their vaginal tract, and that 90% of these women will naturally clear the virus from their bodies with no lingering effect through their immune response, having HPV at a moment in time does not indicate a patient will get cervical cancer. While having HPV increases the risk of cervical cancer, using HPV DNA screening to screen for cervical cancer is akin to using car ownership alone as an indicator of auto accident risk; there’s a correlation, of course. But one thing doesn’t lead to the other with great concordance.
iPap®
iPap® is the world’s first self-sampler that obtains a cervical cell sample. iPap allows a woman to collect her own sample at home or other convenient place, and then deliver it to any existing laboratory for HPV or cytologic analysis.
CerMark
Detecting molecular changes within cervical cells that reflect precancerous lesions regardless of the cause – HPV or otherwise – offers a chance to detect all cervical cancers requiring intervention. And by doing it in a single test CerMark will help to lower cost. Further, as an instrument-based test it removes the dependence on the dwindling availability of cytotechnologists.
Available soon for investigational and research use, the biomolecular multiplexed CerMark assay can be used by laboratories equipped to perform PCR testing as an adjunct or alternative to HPV DNA testing as well as cytology.
OncoGenesis is first bringing iPap to market to address challenge #1 and to support the evolving role of virtual care (telehealth) as much of the world takes a more patient-centric approach to care. They are doing this directly with laboratories, health insurers, and retailers where patients are currently being screened for cervical cancer.
The company is also beginning to introduce the CerMark assay to laboratories currently able to conduct PCR testing. And finally, the company will introduce the CerMark POC to policymakers, retailers, and others interested in creating more rapid, point-of-care testing programs.
For more information, email: Info@Oncogenx.com
