CIPH Ciphergen Biosystems (MM)

FREMONT, Calif., Dec. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CIPH) today announced that its clinical development partner Ohio State University presented data demonstrating the clinical utility of its assay to manage patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a hematologic disease. These findings were presented at the American Society of Hematology 48th Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla., December 9-12, 2006. "Continual monitoring, or testing, of the enzyme that is deficient in patients with TTP aids physicians in determining disease activity so that they may apply the proper course of treatment," said Haifeng M. Wu, M.D., Assistant Professor of Pathology and Medicine and Director of Clinical Coagulation Laboratory at Ohio State University Medical Center. "In this initial study population, our TTP assay helped us evaluate recurrence of disease and patient response to therapy, resulting in improved clinical outcome." Twenty-one patients treated with concurrent cyclosporine and plasma exchange (CSA/PE) were monitored using the SELDI-based test to measure response to therapy and to determine appropriate course of treatment. Each patient was tested weekly during the active disease phase and during initial clinical remission. After achieving a sustained clinical remission, patients were then tested quarterly. Continual laboratory monitoring, along with clinical assessment, enabled physicians to make appropriate adjustments to the treatment regimen, resulting in improved clinical outcome. "These studies further contribute towards our understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease," said Eric T. Fung, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer for Ciphergen Biosystems. "We intend to apply these promising results towards a larger patient population to further validate the assays' clinical utility for monitoring disease activity and for evaluating treatment response in patients with TTP." About Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) TTP is a blood disorder characterized by low platelets, low red blood cell count (caused by premature breakdown of the cells), neurological abnormalities and sometimes abnormalities in kidney function. In most cases, this disease is caused by a deficiency in or auto-antibodies to an enzyme called ADAMTS13, which cleaves von Willebrand Factor. Loss of this enzyme causes platelet clumping and red blood cell destruction that are the hallmarks of TTP. About the Collaboration In November 2006, Ciphergen and OSU announced a collaborative agreement to develop and clinically validate a diagnostic test to detect TTP. Under the terms of the agreement, OSU and Ciphergen will optimize the assay to measure enzyme and antibody inhibition activity, and will jointly conduct multi-center studies to validate the test. About Ciphergen Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. is dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of novel high-value diagnostic tests that help physicians diagnose, treat and improve outcomes for patients. Ciphergen, along with its prestigious scientific collaborators, has ongoing diagnostic programs in oncology/hematology, cardiology and women's health with an initial focus in ovarian cancer. Based in Fremont, California, more information about Ciphergen can be found on the Web at http://www.ciphergen.com/. Safe Harbor Statement Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains 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 development and performance of a clinical diagnostic test for TTP and the potential use of a particular assay in that test. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements due to various factors, including the possibility that Ciphergen and its partner may not be able to further validate the clinical diagnostic test for TTP or otherwise successfully develop such a test. Investors should consult Ciphergen's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-Q filed November 20, 2006, for further information regarding these and other risks related to the Company's business. DATASOURCE: Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. CONTACT: Sue Carruthers, Investor Relations of Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc., +1-510-505-2233; or Media: Lori Murray of WeissComm Partners, +1-415-946-1070, for Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. Web site: http://www.ciphergen.com/

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