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Company Brief
Fermiscan is a publicly listed (ASX:FER) Life Sciences company whose principal activity is the advancement of a non-invasive diagnostic test for the detection of breast cancer. The test is based on the discovery by an Australian scientist that a change can be detected in the molecular structure of hair from women with breast cancer and this change can be identified by using diffraction of X-rays generated in a synchrotron. The greatest application for the Fermiscan Test is in women under 70 years of age, and in particular for younger women, where mammography is generally unsuitable, with potential benefits for women’s health including increased survival and treatment options. It is anticipated that the test will be used as an adjunct to existing screening tests for breast cancer.

Earlier this year Fermiscan announced the results of a major 2,000 patient trial. The trial compared results from mammography and ultrasound (and any subsequent biopsy and pathology results) with the Fermiscan Test.

The trial results confirmed that the Fermiscan Test has a negative predictive value of 99.5% in calling almost 1400 patients negative for breast cancer where the patient was less than 70 years of age. These results also confirm the ability for the Fermiscan Test to correctly identify breast cancer in women in the same age group in 74% of the cases. (1)

The Fermiscan Test development path in Australia and overseas includes completion in 2008 of clinical research with leading hospitals in Italy and Singapore as well as the Ashford Cancer Centre, a leading cancer clinic in Adelaide. Clinical research in Japan will commence over coming months.

Fermiscan acquired Sydney Breast Clinic Pty Limited in June 2008. The Clinic has been operating for over 30 years and is one of the largest diagnostic breast clinics in Australia, testing over 10,000 women annually who are referred by more than 3,000 general practitioners. The Clinic uses the gold standard Triple Test (medical history and clinical breast examination; mammography and ultrasound imaging; non-excision biopsy) in the diagnosis and screening of breast disease. The multidisciplinary team at the Clinic consists of over 55 staff including Breast Surgeons, Breast Physicians, Radiologists, Pathologists, Radiographers, Sonographers and Nurses. The Clinic offers same day diagnosis of breast disease in a reassuring, comforting and positive environment.

Sydney Breast Clinic was a key participant in Fermiscan’s 2,000 patient trial and has commenced a clinical study using the Fermiscan Test in conjunction with current screening to assess the use of the test by physicians in a clinical setting.

Fermiscan was named ‘Australian Innovator of the year’ at the Austrade sponsored annual ‘Innovation Day Shoot Out’ competition in New York in January 2008.

(1) Excludes 4 Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) not identified as positive by Fermiscan