Vermillion and Collaborators Discover Protein Biomarker Associated with Peripheral Arte...(ary angiography. Proteomic profiling stu...)

Beta-2 microglobulin levels were correlated with the severity of disease, as determined by ankle blood pressures, and by the distance patients could walk on a treadmill. Beta 2microglobulin was an independent predictor, even after taking into consideration traditional risk factors such as cholesterol, diabetes, and age.

"This biomarker discovery may provide new insight into the pathophysiology of peripheral artery disease and may contribute towards the development of our panel of biomarkers to identify patients at risk for PAD," said Eric T. Fung, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer for Vermillion. "We are engaged in final validation studies to determine an optimal cutoff that stratifies patients according to their likelihood of having peripheral artery disease."

As part of a strategic alliance agreement, Vermillion and Quest Diagnostics are working closely together to expedite development and release of the PAD test.

About Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

PAD, a serious but often asymptomatic disorder affecting some eight to 12 million Americans, is caused by the buildup of fat and cholesterol, or plaque, in the peripheral arteries, disrupting normal blood flow. Left untreated, PAD more than doubles the risk of heart attack and stroke and increases the risk of amputation and death. There are treatments that can save the lives and limbs of these patients, once the disease is recognized.

About Vermillion's Peripheral Artery Disease Program

Vermillion, in collaboration with Stanford University, is developing a blood-based assay for the detection of PAD. In January 2007, Quest Diagnostics accepted this program as the second of three diagnostic tests for joint development under their existing strategic alliance agreement.

About Vermill
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