February 1, 2007

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Mesomark Assay from Fujirebio Diagnostics Inc.

The first in-vitro test for mesothelioma, a cancer linked to asbestos exposure, was approved under the Humanitarian Device Exemption program and will be available to physicians in the first quarter of 2007.

The assay kit was developed to measure levels of a biomarker, mesothelin, in serum and can be used to monitor patients confirmed as having mesothelioma, for recurrence in patients following surgery, or for measuring response to therapies.

More information about Fujirebio Diagnostics can be found on its Web site.