Abbott's Pathvysion Is One Of 10 Products To Win 2005 Chicago Innovation Award
-Abbott honored for second time in the last two years for having one of Chicago's most innovative products-
ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Oct. 11, 2005 — Abbott's PathVysion® HER-2 DNA Probe Kit has been named a recipient of the 2005 Chicago Innovation Award. PathVysion was chosen among 130 submissions for the award, which recognizes innovative products that help improve consumer's lives.
"Abbott's mission is to translate science into breakthrough medical advances that improve and extend the lives of people around the world," said Ed Michael, president, Abbott Molecular. "Abbott is pleased to be recognized for this innovation and even prouder that products like PathVysion make a difference in the lives of patients."
Now in their fourth year, the Chicago Innovation Awards are presented by Kuczmarski Associates and are sponsored by the William Wrigley, Jr. Company. Honorees, along with 400 other leaders of Chicago's business, academic and government communities will gather in celebration of the creative spirit and innovative output of companies during a reception at The Goodman Theatre on Oct. 18 at 6:30 p.m.
"Chicago area companies and organizations have produced countless innovations during the past 150 years. The Chicago Innovation Awards help create awareness of today's local innovations that are changing the world," said Thomas Kuczmarski, president of Kuczmarski Associates. "Not only do Chicago Innovation Award winners create innovation and bring it to life on a daily basis, they inspire and educate others to do so as well."
About PathVysion: Pathvysion is a test for breast cancer patients that provides physicians with genetic information to help them predict if a particular type of cancer treatment will be effective or not for an individual patient. PathVysion fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technology measures the number of copies of the HER-2 gene at the DNA level. Using fluorescent colors and a microscope, physicians count the actual number of HER-2 genes present in the cell nucleus. Results from the PathVysion kit are intended for use as an aid in selecting potential candidates for Herceptin® (trastuzumab) monoclonal therapy and as an adjunct to existing clinical and pathologic information currently used as prognostic factors in stage II, node-positive breast cancer patients. The PathVysion kit is further indicated as an aid to predict disease-free and overall survival in patients with stage II, node-positive breast cancer treated with adjuvant cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and 5-fluorouracil (CAF) chemotherapy.
"Getting the right treatment makes all the difference. Three years ago, I was treated with Herceptin® therapy for breast cancer after the PathVysion test determined it was a viable treatment option," said Donna Henagin, PathVysion/Herceptin patient, New York, New York. "PathVysion helped my physician select a treatment based on my own individual genetic profile."
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, other than skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer. However, thanks to programs aimed at early detection of breast cancer and a growing number of new treatment options, doctors have a greater ability to effectively treat their patients.
About Abbott
Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs more than 60,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries. Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's Web site at www.abbott.com.
*Herceptin is a registered trademark of Genentech.
