NEWS OUT - MEDIPATTERN - MKI
Medipattern adds to Reseller Network, Providing Technology to Improve Diagnosis of Triple Negative Breast Cancer
2/21/2007
DISS and Emsor to Distribute B-CAD(TM) in Puerto Rico, South Florida, and Spain
TORONTO, ONTARIO, Feb 21, 2007 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) --
Attention: Business/Financial Editors:
The Medipattern Corporation (TSX VENTURE: MKI), an award-winning developer of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) software, whose mission is to reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies performed to diagnose cancer, is pleased to announce the signing of distribution agreements with DISS, based in San Juan, Puerto Rico; and EMSOR, headquartered in Madrid, Spain. These agreements are a result of Medipattern's comprehensive strategy to establish a global distribution network for its products.
DISS has an extensive team of over 40 sales and service support personnel covering Puerto Rico and South Florida. DISS recorded sales of more than US$20 million in 2006, representing FujiFilm, iCAD, Planmed, Toshiba, and Urologix. Founded in 2002, DISS has a division focused on women's health solutions, consisting of digital and film mammography, mammography computer-aided detection (CAD), breast ultrasound, and breast imaging picture archiving and communications systems (PACS), as well as consumables and supplies.
Founded in 1988, Emsor represents Hologic, iCAD, Novotec, Suros Surgical, and Stratec solutions for breast care. Emsor reported revenues of more than US$10 million last year from products including digital mammography, mammography CAD, ultrasound, and surgical solutions as well as consumables, service, and supplies.
A landmark paper published in December, 2006, by Dr. Vincent Caggiano and epidemiologist Monica Brown, shows that women of Spanish descent are far more susceptible than non-Latin women to triple negative breast cancer, which presents similarly to basal cell carcinoma. The term "triple negative" refers to tumors not fed by the hormone estrogen. According to this landmark study, drugs that counter the effects of estrogen, such as Tamoxifen, Raloxifene, or aromatase inhibitors (a class of drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer), are useless against triple negative tumors. Since standard methods of treatment are ineffective, the best plan for patient survival is early detection, so that the cancer can be caught before it spreads. Triple negative cancer has been shown to strike young women comparatively frequently. In light of its ability to image the dense breast tissue commonly found in younger women, the best diagnostic tool for detecting this type of cancer is breast ultrasound.
"Puerto Rico has a widely accepted and active breast screening program. Years of breast cancer screening have had a positive impact on the region's five-year survival rate. DISS has been pleased to provide the tools to fight breast cancer in our community," said Cesar Guzman, President of DISS. "But there are demographic groups that have not seen the overall improvement. News of the triple negative syndrome has caused concern and increased the use of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool. This form of cancer is difficult to see and B-CAD will play an important part in breaking through this next battlefront in the war against breast cancer. We are proud to bring B-CAD to Puerto Rico and South Florida, where it has immediate value."
"Medipattern is pleased to join with DISS and Emsor in support of providing solutions to the breast care centres in Spain, Puerto Rico, and South Florida to help diagnose breast cancer among a key target group at an earlier stage when it is more treatable. Ultrasound has long been considered more capable of imaging dense breast tissue than mammography. Using B-CAD as part of the standard procedure with breast ultrasound can enable the radiologist to identify breast cancer more consistently in young women. Additionally, B-CAD can also help train physicians to understand the key characteristics of breast lesions so that they can act quickly and with confidence. B-CAD is available for immediate sale in these countries," said Jeff Collins, CEO of Medipattern.
Upcoming Events:
Medipattern will participate in the following events:
- National Consortium of Breast Centers 2007, February 22 to 24, 2007 in Las Vegas, NV in the Kodak booth.
- European Congress of Radiology, March 9 to 13, 2007 in Vienna, Austria at Booth 45 Expo Hall A, as well as the Kodak, Confirma, Sectra, and Cedara booths.
- AIUM 2007, March 15 to 18, 2007 in New York City at Booth 217.
- Society of Breast Imaging, April 14 to 17 2007 in Hollywood Florida.
- China MED 2007, April 22 to 24, Beijing, PRC.
- American Society of Breast Surgeons Annual Meeting, May 2 to 7, 2007, Phoenix, AZ.
- Breast Imaging Course sponsored by Stanford, May 2 to 6 in Las Vegas, NV.
About The Medipattern Corporation
Medipattern develops computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) solutions for medical imaging. These products enhance workflow while improving interpretive and diagnostic confidence. The Company's initial clinical applications are B-CAD(TM) for breast ultrasound and B-CAD MRI(TM). Both have received awards for innovation in the industry. The B-CAD products, part of the Company's CADENZA platform, use pattern recognition technology to assist radiologists in their efforts to classify and characterize lesions in images of the breast. Medipattern's mission is to design software products that reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies performed in the detection of cancer. Please visit the company's website at: www.medipattern.com.
B-CAD(TM) and B-CAD MRI(TM) are trademarks of The Medipattern Corporation.
Medipattern(R) is a registered mark of The Medipattern Corporation.
Forward-looking statements
This document contains forward-looking statements relating to Medipattern's performance, operations, or business environment. These statements are based on what we believe are reasonable assumptions given currently available information and our understanding of Medipattern's current activities. We have tried, whenever possible, to identify these forward-looking statements using words such as "anticipates,'' "believes,'' "estimates,'' "expects,'' "plans,'' "intends,'' "potential'', and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict or control. A number of factors could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. These factors include but are not limited to those set forth in the Company's corporate filings, (posted at www.sedar.com). In addition, these forward-looking statements relate to the date on which they are made. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason. Readers should not rely on forward-looking statements.
The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release and has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this release.
Contacts: The Medipattern Corporation Jeff Collins CEO (416) 744-0009 ext. 224 Email: jcollins@medipattern.com Website: www.medipattern.com IRonside Investor Relations Inc. Robin Sundstrom President (416) 368-8770 ext. 223 Email: robin@ciris.biz
SOURCE: The Medipattern Corporation
mailto:jcollins@medipattern.com https://www.medipattern.com mailto:robin@ciris.biz
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