About NMP48? Proteins
Matritech scientists, using a research configured, low-throughput mass spectrometer instrument, discovered the existence of certain proteins (NMP48) in the blood of prostate cancer patients that were generally not present in the blood of individuals without detectable prostate malignancy. The Company?s goal is to develop sample preparation and testing methods to enable our clinical lab partners to conduct a Proprietary Laboratory Procedure based on a high-throughput mass spectrometer instrument that will be more reproducible, controlled and cost-effective than the research procedures used in making the original discovery. When the Proprietary Laboratory Procedure is completed, Matritech scientists will begin development of products for routine use by all laboratories such as a Lab Test Kit and a Point-of-Care test device. All of the blood specimens for use in generating reproducible and controlled clinical data prior to launching a Proprietary Laboratory Procedure have been collected.

About Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men, other than skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 230,900 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in the year 2004. About 29,900 men will die of this disease. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, exceeded only by lung cancer. While one man in six will get prostate cancer during his lifetime, only one man in 32 will die of this disease.