NZX ANNOUNCEMENT: Released 29 July 2014

All New Zealand residents and healthcare professionals can today access the Cxbladder cancer detection technology developed by Dunedin-based Pacific Edge with the ‘go live’ of an e-commerce platform. http://www.cxbladder.com/order-form

Customers can purchase the Urine Sampling System (USS) online for use in the convenience of their homes or it can be bought by health care professionals for use in their clinic.

Detailed reports will only be provided to the customers’s nominated general practitioner or specialist who are qualified to recommend further appropriate action for the patient. The additional data from Cxbladder will supplement the information available to urologists to enhance the standard of care they offer patients.

Pacific Edge Diagnostics’ Commercial Director Brent Pownall says the testing service now available through Pacific Edge’s e-commerce platform will give people and healthcare professionals, particularly GPs, direct access to the Cxbladder technology. To be able to collect a urine sample from the privacy of their own home is a big step forward in the utility for people who wish to take a more active role in providing their healthcare professional with more information on their wellbeing. Easy access to the testing services for rural GP’s should also be a considerable benefit.

“Cancer is a concern in the community and bladder cancer is the fourth most prevalent cancer amongst men and ninth globally for both men and women. The quick delivery of results from the testing service will have the benefit of prompt engagement between purchasers and their general practitioners or specialists.”

 “The early detection of bladder cancer or other causes of haematuria leads to early treatment and better outcomes for patients,” says Brent Pownall. Multi-centre peer reviewed clinical trials in Australia and New Zealand have demonstrated that Cxbladder technology out performs benchmark technologies in detecting the presence – or not - of bladder cancer in patients who have blood in their urine (haematuria). Further validation has recently been carried out by urologists providing services in two of New Zealand’s District Health Boards.

“There is a rapidly growing, global trend where patients are taking a greater interest in their well-being and diagnosis of ailments. Pacific Edge’s e-commerce site recognises this desire by providing ease of access to this advanced cancer detection technology and providing a flow-on into the professional healthcare providers.”

It is estimated that there are close to 10,000 New Zealanders per year who have haematuria leading to approximately 600 New Zealanders a year with bladder cancer and on average 170 deaths a year are attributed to it. Many patients with haematuria currently go through the discomfort of a full medical work-up often using invasive tests to determine if bladder cancer is present. On average, approximately one in eight of those patients presenting with visible blood in their urine are diagnosed with bladder cancer.

“Those who have been diagnosed with bladder cancer and need ongoing monitoring of their condition know only too well the benefits of using Cxbladder’s testing system,” Mr Pownall says.

Only New Zealand residents are able to access Pacific Edge’s urine testing service though the e-commerce site. Purchasers will be sent the proprietary, easy to use, Urine Sampling System (USS) developed by Pacific Edge, to collect a urine sample for the Cxbladder test.

 “Many New Zealanders are becoming much more aware that there is a technology available that can complement or provide an alternative to the standard invasive tests, but are not sure how to access the Cxbladder service other than through their doctor. This e-commerce site will enable patients to take advantage of Cxbladder to maintain a regime of evaluation that suits their individual needs.”

The Cxbladder testing services e-commerce site has been reviewed and approved by Medsafe, the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority, and TAPS, Therapeutic Advertising Pre-vetting System of the Advertising Standards Authority.

The e-commerce platform at http://www.cxbladder.com is a further addition to Pacific Edge’s drive to build commercial revenues from Cxbladder and to drive demand for the product in the New Zealand market from both the patient and the clinician. The Company’s principal focus is on driving revenue in the world’s largest health market, the USA and achieving the company’s target of having sales revenue there of $100 million a year after five years of trading. Four National Provider Networks (NPN) in the USA have signed up Cxbladder for inclusion in their networks.

Pacific Edge is committed to growing its sales and is boosting the sales and marketing team in the USA this year and building relationships with Large Urology Groups, Integrated Healthcare Providers and adding additional provider networks.

Here is your link to the online order form http://www.cxbladder.com/order-form