February 20, 2001
AmeriPath Center For Advanced Diagnostics (CAD) Announces Addition of ImmunoCyt
to Test Menu
Riviera Beach, FL, February 20, 2001 - AmeriPath, Inc.
(Nasdaq: PATH), the largest physician and laboratory
company focused on providing anatomic pathology and cancer
diagnostics, genomics, and healthcare information services,
today announced that it will begin offering ImmunoCytÔ,
the first FDA-cleared cytopathology diagnostic test for
the early detection of recurrent bladder cancer (transitional
cell carcinomas) at its Center for Advanced Diagnostics
located in Orlando, FL. ImmunoCytÔ is a highly sensitive,
non-invasive test that allows urologists to detect antigens
from tumors. Currently more than 300,000 people in the
U.S. are being monitored for recurrence of bladder cancer
and 55,000 new cases are detected annually. Bladder
cancer is the sixth most common form of cancer in the
United States.
"As part of our expanding test menu, we are proud to
offer ImmunoCytÔ as another diagnostic resource for our
clinicians and patients. We believe that it will become
a valuable addition to the traditional diagnostic algorithm
in helping urologists manage recurrent bladder cancer," said
Randy Judd, M.D., Director of Special Technologies at
AmeriPath's Center for Advanced Diagnostics.
"DAKO Corporation is pleased that AmeriPath and its
Center for Advanced Diagnostics have added ImmunoCytÔ to
their test menu. As one of the first commercial facilities
to offer the test in the United States, they are leading
the way in integrating this new tool into the current
arsenal available to clinicians," said Douglas Sweet,
DAKO's Vice President of Sales and Marketing. ImmunoCytÔ is
licensed by DAKO Corporation from DiagnoCure, Inc. of
Quebec City, Canada (TSE:CUR).
AmeriPath's Center for Advanced Diagnostics is a comprehensive
esoteric reference laboratory offering a full array of
traditional and molecular diagnostics for hematopoietic
and solid tissue malignancies, including polymerase chain
reaction (PCR), in situ hybridization, cytogenetics,
flow cytometry, specialized immunohistochemistry, and
minimal residual disease detection. "AmeriPath, through
our Center for Advanced Diagnostics, is committed to
remaining on the cutting edge of pathology, molecular
diagnostics, and genomics by continuing to research,
implement and offer the latest diagnostic and prognostics
tests and technologies available," added Dennis M. Smith,
Jr., M.D., Senior Vice President and Medical Director
for AmeriPath.
AmeriPath, Inc. is the nation's largest company focused
on providing anatomic pathology and cancer diagnostics,
genomics, and related healthcare information services
to physicians, hospitals, national clinical laboratories
and managed care organizations. The Company's 425 physicians
provide medical services through 42 outpatient pathology
laboratories, 224 hospital inpatient laboratories, and
64 outpatient surgery centers in 21 states.
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The statements contained in this
press release may include "forward-looking
statements" which are based on management's current beliefs
and expectations. Past performance is not necessarily
indicative of future results. In addition, forward-looking
statements - which are identified by words such as "may", "should", "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate" and
similar expressions - as well as any financial and operating
estimates, forecasts and/or projections, are subject
to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which
involve factors or circumstances which are beyond the
Company's ability to control. These factors, risks and
uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially
from historical results or those expected, estimated
or anticipated. These include factors, risks and uncertainties
relating to demand for pathology and related services,
pricing, federal and state regulation (and compliance),
reimbursement rates, government and third party payments,
dependence upon pathologists, key personnel and contracts,
competitive factors and technology. The forward looking
statements included in this press release are made as
of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation
to update or revise any such statements, whether as result
of new developments, new information or otherwise. Further
information regarding risks, uncertainties and other
factors that could affect the Company's financial or
operating results, or which could cause actual results
to differ materially from those expected or anticipated,
are included in the Company's Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1999 and subsequent filings with the
SEC.
