Vigilant Biosciences Announces Further Clinical Data in Support of its OncAlert® Oral Cancer Product Line at IFOS ENT World Congress 2017 Symposium and at Annual MASCC Meeting

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. and WASHINGTON and PARIS, June 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Vigilant Biosciences, Inc., a leading innovator and developer of solutions that aid in the early detection and intervention of cancer, announced today that it will be a Bronze Sponsor of the  International Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (IFOS) Ear, Nose, & Throat (ENT) World Congress 2017, one of the world's leading conferences for the international ENT industry, being held June 24-28 2017 in Paris, France. Vigilant will also be an exhibitor at the conference, showcasing its OncAlert^® Oral Cancer product line in booth 3.24a.

During the Congress, Vigilant Biosciences will host a symposium, "Interim Analysis of an Oral Rinse Point-Of-Care Assay Correlating with Biopsy Outcome for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a High Risk Oral Clinic," on Monday, June 26 at 07:45 at the Palais des congrès de Paris, room 352A. The symposium will be led by Elizabeth Franzmann, M.D., a member of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Director of Head and Neck Research and Associate Professor at the Miller School of Medicine Department of Otolaryngology, and Scientific Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Vigilant Biosciences. The symposium will present an interim analysis of ongoing European clinical studies in support of Vigilant Biosciences' OncAlert Oral Cancer RAPID Test.

"We are seeing an increase in oropharyngeal cancer rates globally, and new tools to aid in the diagnosis of oral cancer at an earlier stage, are critical to reducing the high death rate associated with this disease," said Dr. Franzmann. "Our OncAlert Oral Cancer product line can help detect oral cancer earlier, when it is more treatable, leading to better outcomes. We are excited to be one of the leading sponsors of the IFOS ENT World Congress this year and to share our mission and data from our European research and OncAlert product line with esteemed ENT physicians from around the world."

Also this month, Vigilant Biosciences will present research in support of its OncAlert product line at the Annual Meeting of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC), taking place June 22-24, 2017 in Washington, D.C.  Vigilant Biosciences' abstract, "Oral Salivary Rinse Accurately Correlates with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma; Potential for Utility in Early Detection," will be available for viewing as an E-poster throughout the meeting. The poster discusses research demonstrating that either CD44 or total protein continue to perform well for discriminating head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and supports research demonstrating that point-of-care and lab assays incorporating these biomarkers represent novel tools for discrimination of risk.

Vigilant Biosciences' OncAlert Oral Cancer product line includes the OncAlert Oral Cancer RAPID Test and the OncAlert Oral Cancer LAB Test. The tests are based on the first and only commercially available technology that accurately measures CD44, a tumor-initiating and stem cell-associated biomarker, and total protein levels – markers clinically validated to be associated specifically with oral cancer. These tests are optimized for easy use by collecting samples via an oral saline rinse and measured either via a point-of-care lateral flow assay or a laboratory kit. The test results, along with other clinical factors, can aid in the early diagnosis of oral cancer, potentially even before visual or physical indicators.

The OncAlert Oral Cancer product line is currently sold in select European markets through multiple distributors and the company is working with additional distributors throughout Africa and Asia-Pacific to expand access to the test around the world.

About Oral Cancer
According to the World Health Organization, there are more than 529,000 new cases of oral (lip, oral cavity and pharynx) cancer each year worldwide, with mortality rates that reach up to 292,000 deaths each year. In the United States, more than 49,750 individuals will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year – around 132 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each day. More than 9,750 people will die in the U.S. this year, as a result of the disease. Historically, the death rate associated with oral cancer is particularly high due to late stage diagnosis and intervention.

Currently, the vast majority of patients are detected through a visual and physical exam when symptomatic and are likely late stage. As a result, oral cancer often goes undetected to the point of metastasizing. More than 40 percent of those diagnosed with oral cancer die within five years, due to late stage diagnosis. In contrast, early detection (stage I and II) of oral cancer yields survival rates of up to 90 percent. For those who survive oral cancer diagnosed in the later stages, the treatment is painful, debilitating and often disfiguring. In addition, patients often struggle with eating and drinking, communicating and self-image.

About Vigilant Biosciences, Inc.
Vigilant Biosciences is a leading innovator and developer of solutions that aid clinicians in the early detection and intervention of cancer. The Vigilant Biosciences OncAlert^® Oral Cancer product line and OncAlert Labs product line include point-of-care and lab-based products and services that are simple, accurate and cost-effective and that can empower healthcare practitioners to improve potential outcomes through earlier intervention. The OncAlert Oral Cancer LAB Test and the OncAlert Oral Cancer RAPID Test are CE Marked and available in select international markets outside the U.S. The OraMark™ Test is a Laboratory Developed Test that is only available in the U.S. exclusively through OncAlert Labs, LLC, a CLIA-certified laboratory and a member of the Vigilant Biosciences family of companies. For more information, visit www.vigilantbiosciences.com and www.oncalertlabs.com.

The University of Miami and Dr. Franzmann hold intellectual property used in the study and have the potential for financial benefit from its future commercialization.  Dr. Franzmann is the Chief Scientific Officer, consultant and an equity holder in Vigilant Biosciences, licensee of the IP used in the study.

SOURCE Vigilant Biosciences, Inc.

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