New WATS3D Biopsy for Sharply Enhanced Detection of Esophageal Precancer to be Demonstrated at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell's First Annual Peter D. Stevens Course on Interventional Innovations in Digestive Care

SUFFERN, NY--(Marketwire - Apr 26, 2012) - CDx Diagnostics, the developer of the new EndoCDx WATS^3D (Wide Area Transepithelial Sample) 3-Dimensional esophageal biopsy, announced today that it will exhibit at the First Annual Peter D. Stevens Course on Interventional Innovations in Digestive Care hosted by New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. CDx Diagnostics will provide hands-on demonstrations of its new EndoCDx WATS^3D biopsy with computer-assisted laboratory analysis that addresses sampling limitations of standard esophageal forceps biopsy. The WATS^3D biopsy has been shown to increase detection of Barrett's esophagus and dysplasia by up to 40%^1,2.

The two-day course, to be held at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center on April 26th and 27^th, 2012, will present the latest innovations for the management of gastrointestinal diseases and cover current trends in interventional endoscopic and surgical procedures. The course is named in honor of the late Dr. Peter D. Stevens, one of the country's premier interventional endoscopists, who passed away in August 2011 after a battle with prostate cancer. Dr. Stevens was director of endoscopy at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center and associate professor of clinical medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Dr. Felice Schnoll-Sussman, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and Director of Research at The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center and a course instructor, commented, "Esophageal cancer remains the fastest growing type of cancer in the US and we welcome new technologies that will help us to reduce the incidence of this devastating disease. Studies show that WATS^3D can increase detection of dysplastic cells so that we can treat the right patients earlier and improve care of our patients."

About CDx Diagnostics and WATS^3D biopsy
CDx Diagnostics (www.cdxdiagnostics.com) is the world's leader in the prevention of cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx and esophagus through early detection of their pre-cancerous precursors. Clinicians use CDx patented WATS^3D biopsy instruments to collect, through minimally invasive procedures, a wide area, disaggregated tissue specimen of the entire thickness of the suspect epithelium. This unique tissue specimen is then subjected to specialized, computer-assisted laboratory analysis. In clinical trials, CDx Diagnostics' WATS^3D biopsy significantly increased the detection rate of Barrett's esophagus in GERD patients as well as precancerous changes in esophageal tissue (dysplasia) by up to 40%^1,2. The high sensitivity of WATS^3D is due to the large tissue area sampled, and the proprietary 3-Dimensionial computer imaging system that is based on an algorithm developed as part of the U.S. Strategic Defense Initiative missile defense program.

About The First Annual Peter D. Stevens Course on Interventional Innovations in Digestive Care
This two day course will inform participants of the latest innovations for the management of gastrointestinal diseases and disorders, and will offer a unique opportunity to learn more about the current trends in interventional endoscopic and surgical procedures. Internationally recognized faculty will address issues in current clinical practice, complications and pitfalls of newer technologies, and the evolution of the field. Using a systems-based approach, the format will cover all major areas of digestive care and treatment options. Attendee participation and interaction will be emphasized and facilitated through Q & A sessions, live OR and interactive case presentations, hands-on animal tissue labs and meet the professor break-out sessions. This course is endorsed by the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). More information is available at http://www.columbiasurgery.org/cme/event_20120426.html.

¹ Johanson, J. F., J. Frakes, D. Eisen, (2010). Computer-assisted analysis of abrasive transepithelial brush biopsies increases the effectiveness of esophageal screening: a multicenter prospective clinical trial by the endocdx collaborative group. Dig Dis Sci, e-pub
² Anandasabapathy, Sharmila, Stephen Sontag, David Y. Graham, Stephen Frist, Joan Bratton, Noam Harpaz, Jerome D. Waye. (2010). Computer-assisted brush-biopsy analysis for the detection of dysplasia in a high-risk barrett's esophagus surveillance population. Dig Dis Sci, e-pub