About NMP35? Proteins
Matritech scientists, using a research mass spectrometer, discovered the existence of certain proteins (NMP35) in the blood of patients with colon cancer, which were generally not present in the blood of individuals without cancer or in the blood of patients with certain benign conditions of the lower digestive tract. After developing Proprietary Laboratory Procedures for NMP48? proteins and NMP66? proteins, Matritech intends to apply technology developed for those tests to the process of developing a Proprietary Laboratory Procedure for detecting NMP35?proteins. When the Proprietary Laboratory Procedure is completed, our scientists will commence development of products for routine use by all laboratories such as a Lab Test Kit and a Point-of-Care Test Device. Blood specimens for use in generating reproducible and controlled clinical data prior to launching a Proprietary Laboratory Procedure have been collected.

About Colon Cancer
Other than skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in this country. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 106,370 new cases of colon cancer and 40,570 new cases of rectal cancer in 2004 in the United States. Combined, they will cause about 56,730 deaths.