Exalenz Bioscience has announced the initiation of a clinical study designed to investigate its BreathID® test to non-invasively detect primary liver cancer, also known as Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC).
Background
Exalenz Bioscience develops and markets diagnostic and monitoring systems that use the exhaled breath to diagnose and help manage GI and liver conditions. The company’s flagship BreathID Hp test, covered previously on our pages, detects the presence of the H. pylori bacteria, associated with various illnesses including gastric cancer. Exalenz holds regulatory approvals in Europe the US and Israel for H. pylori detection and is currently in the process of obtaining approvals for additional applications.
In May, the Company announced the initiation of a clinical study evaluating the potential of its BreathID® test to diagnose nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Exalenz also has an ongoing pivotal study, launched October 2014, investigating BreathID® as a tool to diagnose Clinically Significant Portal Hypertension (CSPH).
This newly announced study adds to Exalenz’s growing clinical pipeline of investigational diagnostic applications for serious liver diseases.
The efficacy of the Exalenz breath test for detection of HCC was evaluated in a prior clinical study demonstrating a very high correlation with imaging tests like computed tomography that are currently the standard of care. The company estimates the market value of this test is approximately $380 million in China alone.
The 100 patient study, being conducted initially at the 302 Military Hospital of China, with other sites in China expected to be added, will evaluate the efficacy of BreathID for the early detection of HCC, compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI is currently part of the recommended practice guidelines by leading medical organizations including the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD). Following completion of the study, Exalenz plans to conduct a Pivotal study and submit data to both the U.S. FDA and its Chinese equivalent (CFDA) in support of marketing approval.
Investigator comments
“Our goal in primary liver cancer is to detect and treat it early. Accurately diagnosing liver cancer has been historically difficult, because the disease often has no observable symptoms in its early stages and due to the dearth of non-invasive, efficient diagnostic tools,” said Prof. Yongping Yang, M.D., principal investigator of the study. “We are encouraged by the potential of BreathID as a new option for clinicians and patients for detecting liver cancer particularly in markets and institutions where conventional diagnostic technologies are not economically or practically feasible.”
Company comments
“The Exalenz BreathID test has shown promising early evidence of efficacy as a detection tool for liver cancer patients, offering a non-invasive, convenient and cost-effective alternative to currently available technologies,” noted Larry Cohen, CEO of Exalenz Biosciences. “We are excited to launch this study and are optimistic about the BreathID platform to help clinicians detect liver cancer while reducing the cost burden to the healthcare system.”
Source: Exalenz Bioscience
published: June 4, 2015 in: Clinical Studies/Trials, Oncology