Assessment Tool Measures More Than 250 BioChemical Markers In Blood

Austin, TX - A Texas company is expanding the availability of Biophysical250, an innovative health assessment that measures more than 250 biochemical markers in the blood and can signal the presence of many diseases and conditions even before symptoms appear.

"We've conducted hundreds of assessments using this technology since our launch in the Central Texas market earlier this year," says Mark Chandler, chairman and chief executive officer of the Austin-based Biophysical Corporation. "Now, individuals across the nation seeking the most advanced, personal and comprehensive health analysis can order Biophysical250 directly through our Web site."

The Biophysical250 assessment program begins with the completion of an individual's medical history and drawing a small sample of blood at the client's home, office or other location. The client receives a report analyzing all the biomarkers that comprise Biophysical250, along with a copy of the results for the client's physician. The findings and a detailed glossary are arranged by category and prioritized with an explanation of their significance. Clients receive a private consultation with one of Biophysical's physicians, who will also conduct a conference call with the client's doctor concerning the results if requested. While Biophysical physicians will not make a diagnosis, the personal consultation and customized report highlight the health risk factors that may require further scrutiny.

The concept was developed by Chandler and an expert team of researchers and physicians, including clinicians from the Cleveland Clinic, Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Bruce A. Friedman, professor of pathology at the University of Michigan Medical School, is among the distinguished scientists on the company's medical advisory board.

"The ability to simultaneously analyze multiple biomarkers from a small blood sample is an approach that challenges the current 'symptom-first' standard in medicine," says Dr. Friedman. "The major conditions resulting in mortality in America -- chronic heart disease and cancer -- frequently occur without obvious symptoms until well advanced. But with this approach, we can look at those changes in blood chemistry that may be pre-symptomatic evidence of potentially serious medical conditions," says Dr. Friedman. "It is particularly important to note that in many cases these medical conditions might not be found using the standard test panels routinely ordered in the course of an annual physical or executive wellness exam."

Historically the comprehensive blood analysis offered by Biophysical Corporation was not used outside the clinical research field due to the large volume of blood required and the associated costs. If tested individually in a series of laboratories, the more than 250 biomarkers that make up Biophysical250 could cost $30,000 - $40,000 or more. With the proprietary technology now available, Biophysical250 requires only about two tablespoons of blood, and costs $3,400 for all services, materials and consultations.

As a respected clinical researcher, Dr. Stanley L. Hazen recognizes the power of using multiple blood-based biomarkers to identify heart disease risks at their earliest, most treatable stages.

"Cardiovascular diagnostics is poised to enter a new era, using panels of tests that collectively provide a more comprehensive picture of cardiac risks," said Dr. Hazen. "With our growing understanding of cardiovascular disease, an exciting and powerful array of new biomarkers is emerging that will revolutionize the treatment and prevention of heart disease." Dr. Hazen is Section Head of Preventive Cardiology and Rehabilitation at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Along with cardiovascular markers, Biophysical250 surveys other proteins and naturally occurring substances in the blood that could indicate many conditions and diseases including:

• Cancer (including breast, colon, liver, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic)
• Metabolic disorders (such as diabetes and metabolic syndromes)
• Autoimmune deficiencies (including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus)
• Viral and bacterial disease (such as mononucleosis)
• Hormonal imbalance (including thyroid deficiency)
• Nutritional status (such as vitamin or protein deficiencies)

There are perhaps 100 blood-based biomarkers that are commonly recognized by physicians as important in disease identification, prevention and treatment. Some of the familiar biomarkers include cholesterol, prostate-specific antigen or PSA, estrogen and glucose. Biophysical250 assesses 150 additional, emerging biomarkers that are recognized by clinical specialists. The measurement and correlation of each of these biomarkers dramatically reduces the incidence of false positive results, and gives individuals and physicians an important baseline to monitor biochemical changes over time.

To further support awareness of the role of blood-based biomarkers in disease detection and prevention, Biophysical Corp. has formed the Center for Biomarker Research as an affiliated, non-profit organization. The Center will initially serve as an online clearinghouse for published clinical studies on biomarkers. In the future, it is expected the Center will sponsor educational programs for physicians, as well as support and fund relevant research.

SOURCE: Biophysical Corporation