CIPH Ciphergen Biosystems (MM)

Researchers Report Novel A-beta Derived Peptide Biomarkers Strongly Indicated for Early Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment Monitoring of Alzheimer's Disease Ciphergen SELDI-based Immunoassay Reveals New Peptide Variants in Clinical AD Samples FREMONT, Calif., July 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CIPH) announced today that three separate studies involving a SELDI ProteinChip(R) Amyloid Beta (A-beta) Multi-Peptide Immunoassay were presented during a biomarkers symposium on day 2 of the 9th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD) in Philadelphia which runs from July 17-22. The first study presented by Dr. Nicolas Sergeant from INSERM in France entitled "Amino-truncated A-beta 42 species as early diagnostic and etiological biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease" described using a SELDI immunoassay to evaluate the presence of N-terminally truncated Abeta42 peptides in patient cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The accompanying abstract states "Abeta42 peptides were clearly present in AD patients, strongly indicating that they are valuable biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis of AD." In the second study, "Neuroproteomic Profiling of Amyloid beta Peptides in human CSF with SELDI-TOF MS," Prof. Jens Wiltfang from the Center of Clinical Neuroproteomics, Erlangen, Germany, described using the SELDI assay to discover three novel A-Beta peptides in clinical CSF samples. Prof. Wiltfang stated that the ratio of the novel peptides as measured by SELDI separated patients and controls even more precisely than the gold standard ratio of Ab1-42/1-40 in the clinical samples tested. The third study presented by Dr. Douglas Galasko from University of California San Diego on "Measuring candidate proteins in the context of AD clinical trials" showed reproducible, quantitative changes in the concentration of clinical CSF A-beta peptide variants in response to treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug compounds. Martin Verhoef, President of Ciphergen's Biosystems Division, stated "These positive results were achieved some time ago with our ProteinChip System IIc. Using our new ProteinChip System, Series 4000, we have achieved improved sensitivity and quantitation of A-beta making the Series 4000 an excellent multi-marker, immunoassay platform for A-beta peptide variants described in this work." A-beta peptide is the main constituent of senile plaques found in the brains of AD patients and a key molecule in the disease pathogenesis. Reliable methods to detect and quantify soluble forms of this peptide in human biological fluids and model systems are of great importance for both clinical diagnosis and understanding disease mechanisms. The SELDI platform enables researchers to rapidly monitor multiple forms of A-beta from small volumes of sample using a single antibodybased assay, offering unique advantages over ELISA or gel based methods. There are a growing number of Alzheimer's researchers now using this assay in both clinical and basic research. Go to http://www.ciphergen.com/pub/ to find a growing list of over 20 publications involving the SELDI A-Beta Immunoassay. About Ciphergen Ciphergen's Biosystems Division develops, manufactures and markets a family of ProteinChip(R) Systems and services for clinical, research, and process proteomics applications, as well as a broad range of bioseparations media for protein purification and large scale production. ProteinChip Systems enable protein discovery, characterization, identification and assay development to provide researchers with predictive, multi-marker assay capabilities and a better understanding of biological function at the protein level. Ciphergen's Diagnostics Division 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. 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 the use of ProteinChip technology to discover useful protein biomarkers that can act as novel drug targets or disease markers, develop and commercialize clinical diagnostics that improve patient care, the ability to provide services that lead to improved toxicology assays and diagnostic assays, and statements regarding our Diagnostics Division. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements due to various factors, including 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 May 10, 2004 as amended May 20, 2004, for further information regarding these and other risks of the Company's business. NOTE: Ciphergen, ProteinChip, Biomarker Discovery Center and BioSepra are registered trademarks of Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. DATASOURCE: Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. CONTACT: Sue Carruthers, Investor Relations, of Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc., +1-510-505-2297 Web site: http://www.ciphergen.com/pub Web site: http://www.ciphergen.com/

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