Semen-based Test For Prostate Cancer To Be Developed By Proteome Systems
Ltd And US-based Egenix Inc

March 10, 2006. Proteome Systems Ltd (ASX: PXL) today announced the
signing of an agreement with the New York-based biotechnology company,
Egenix Inc to co-develop a semen-based diagnostic kit for prostate
cancer based on the known proprietary Human Carcinoma Antigen (HCA).

The new non-invasive test, once developed, would offer significant
advantages over the current test, and would reduce unnecessary invasive
examinations as well as needle biopsies.

The current blood test for prostate cancer measures levels of
prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The drawback with the PSA test is that
it has a high false positive rate (estimated at up to 75%), meaning it
picks up many benign conditions of raised PSA levels in the blood - such
as enlargement of the prostate or a prostate infection.

This means that many men who have false positive tests for prostate
cancer undergo unnecessary biopsies.

Research indicates that the HCA based test being developed by PXL and
Egenix would be a more accurate test. Initial data testing HCA in semen
as a marker of prostate cancer was presented at an American Urology
Association meeting. In a cohort of 84 patients (9 confirmed cancers and
75 non-cancers), the sensitivity of the semen test was 100% (no cancers
missed) and the false positive rate was only 17%.

PXL and Egenix will initially work together to optimise the detection of
HCA in semen of prostate cancer patients. This initial project will be
fully funded by Egenix. The two companies will then share the rights for
further development and commercialisation of the test. The parties
envisage that this test would have significant implications for the
prostate cancer diagnostic market. Estimates by Egenix indicate a
potential market size for the HCA test of up to USD $1.5 billion in the
US market.

HCA in the blood can signal the presence of cancer, but it does not
specify where the cancer exists as HCA is produced by other tumors such
as breast, lung and colon cancers. Because the prostate's function is to
secrete fluid into semen,
HCA is found in much larger concentrations in semen produced by
cancerous prostates and is therefore expected to be a highly specific
marker for prostate cancer. Further programmes utilising HCA for
detection of other cancers are envisaged upon the completion of the
initial prostate cancer test.

Stephen Porges, CEO of Proteome Systems said "HCA is a very big protein
covered with sugars and few companies have the ability to work with such
complex molecules. We have acknowledged world-class expertise in
analysing this type of glycoprotein and in turning protein antigens into
diagnostic tests. Combining this expertise with the research and
clinical knowledge that Egenix brings gives us an exciting opportunity
to produce an improved and potentially revolutionary diagnostic test for
prostate cancer. We also believe there is further potential for this HCA
molecule once defined, as a drug target for treatment of prostate
cancer"

Dr. Jedd Levine, President of Egenix Inc. said "We initially wondered if
there would be social or cultural objections to a test that requires the
patient to provide an ejaculate specimen. But it's common to look in
organ secretions for signs of cancer in that organ and …most
men would willingly provide a semen specimen to potentially avoid a
painful needle biopsy"

Dr Donald Fresne, CEO and Chairman of Egenix, stated "Our company has
produced excellent research in collaboration with the University of
Rochester on the use of HCA as a cancer diagnostic and therapeutic
target and we are delighted to be working with a company such as PXL
whom we have identified as global leaders with a proven record in the
discovery and characterisation of protein and glycoprotein biomarkers
for use in their patented diagnostic platform."

About Proteome Systems:
Proteome Systems Limited [PXL] is a dynamic biotechnology company with
internationally sought-after diagnostics and therapeutics expertise in
the fields of respiratory disease, neurobiology and ageing, cancer and
infectious diseases. PXL's scientific leadership is demonstrated by its
track record in partnering with US and European companies and research
institutions to develop its core technologies and molecular compounds
for use in diagnosis and treatment of some of the world's most
debilitating and fatal conditions and diseases. PXL has a therapeutic
and diagnostic portfolio which includes 22 worldwide patents (including
12 US patents) for its small molecule compounds, and another 23 pending
which cover topical, injectable and potentially oral delivery forms.
Additional information about Proteome Systems can be found at
http://www.proteomesystems.com/ .

Egenix, Inc. is a privately held biotechnology company in the business
of developing diagnostic and therapeutic products for cancer patients.
Its corporate headquarters are in Millbrook, New York, and its research
laboratory is located at the University of Rochester Medical Center in
Rochester, New York.
Press release source: http://www.researchaustralia.com.au

knowledge is power - growing old is mandatory - growing wise is optional    
"Many more men die with prostate cancer than of it. Growing old is
invariably fatal. Prostate cancer is only sometimes so."
http://community.webtv.net/PALMER_ENT/doc