CIPH Ciphergen Biosystems (MM)

Collaboration Will Analyze Patients' Tumor Cyst Fluids and Blood to Better Identify Malignancies Versus Benign Conditions Before Surgery FREMONT, Calif., Aug. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CIPH) announced today the signing of a research and collaboration agreement with the University of Kentucky. The collaboration gives Ciphergen exclusive rights to license discoveries made during the agreement and is part of the University's ongoing research in ovarian cancer. "Medical management is entirely different for an ovarian tumor of low or no malignant potential versus one that is overtly malignant," said Dr. Ueland, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology. "With Ciphergen, we hope to accelerate the development of a new diagnostic approach to ovarian cancer by combining their biomarker discovery and diagnostic process with our clinical expertise." Dr. DePriest, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, added, "It is vital that we further understand the protein biology of ovarian cancer as it relates to early diagnosis, prediction of clinical course, and overall outcome." "This agreement allows us to expand our current research in oncology by working with Doctor van Nagell and his colleagues," said Gail Page, President and Chief Operating Officer of Ciphergen. "The University of Kentucky is a major referral center for the treatment of gynecologic malignancies. We are very pleased to be collaborating in our mutual goal to develop novel diagnostics in the field of ovarian cancer." Under the terms of the agreement, Ciphergen will provide its suite of proteomic solutions (Deep Proteome(TM), Pattern Track Process(TM) and ProteinChip(R) System) designed for biomarker discovery and development of assays, to analyze clinical samples collected at University of Kentucky Healthcare. Researchers will analyze patients' tumor cyst fluid and blood, looking for specific proteins to differentiate malignant from benign ovarian conditions. The University of Kentucky's Division of Gynecologic Oncology operates one of the largest ovarian cancer screening programs in the world and performs more than 500 gynecologic operations annually. The Division of Gynecologic Oncology is under the direction of four full-time gynecologic oncologists: Drs. John van Nagell, Paul DePriest, Fred Ueland and Susan Modesitt. Also collaborating is Andre Baron, PhD, Director of the Markey Cancer Center biomarker research program. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 22,000 women nationwide will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year and more than 16,000 will die from it. About Ciphergen Ciphergen is dedicated to the discovery of protein biomarkers and panels of biomarkers and their development into protein molecular diagnostic tests that improve patient care; and to providing collaborative R&D services through its Biomarker Discovery Center(R) laboratories for biomarker discovery for new diagnostic tests as well as pharmacoproteomic services for improved drug toxicology, efficacy and theranostic assays. Ciphergen develops, manufactures and markets a family of ProteinChip(R) Systems and services for clinical, research and process proteomics applications. ProteinChip Systems enable protein discovery, validation, identification and assay development to provide researchers with predictive, multi-marker assay capabilities and a better understanding of biological function at the protein level. Additional information about Ciphergen can be found at http://www.ciphergen.com/ Safe Harbor Statement Note Regarding 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 developing novel diagnostics in the field of ovarian cancer to differentiate malignant from benign conditions. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements due to various factors, including the possibility that biomarkers discovered by Ciphergen may fail to validate in larger studies as providing an accurate diagnostic for ovarian cancer, the ProteinChip technology's ability to validate and/or develop protein biomarkers as novel drug targets, diagnostic or toxicology assays, and the Company's ability to successfully commercialize such tests. Investors should consult Ciphergen's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-Q dated August 9, 2005, for further information regarding these and other risks of the Company's business. NOTE: Ciphergen, ProteinChip and Biomarker Discovery Center are registered trademarks of Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. DATASOURCE: Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. CONTACT: investors, Sue Carruthers of Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc., +1-510-505 2297 Web site: http://www.ciphergen.com/

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