Proteomedix cancer test used in laboratory

The Center for Laboratory Medicine in St.Gallen (Zentrum für Labormedizin St.Gallen - ZLM) is reacting to the fact that many biopsies with regard to prostate cancer are not relevant, as outlined in a press release. In order to reduce the number of biopsies yet still be able to carry out tests for prostate cancer, the ZLM has now become “the first laboratory in the world” to use the new Proclarix test method.

According to the press release, the Proclarix test method achieved a sensitivity value of 90 percent for clinically significant prostate cancer in a study in addition to a negative predictive value of 95 percent. “These results show that the use of this test can reduce the number of biopsies carried out and therefore avoid invasive interventions, anxiety, discomfort, pain and complications”, the ZLM explains.

The blood test was developed by Proteomedix, which is a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH) with headquarters in the Greater Zurich Area. The start-up only launched a Europe-wide distribution network in February. “We are delighted to have the ZLM as a partner and expect that our collaboration will help men suspected to have prostate cancer”, said Christian Brühlmann, Co-Founder of Proteomedix, in a separate press release.