MALVERN, Pa., Mar 2, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Fujirebio Diagnostics, Inc. (FDI), a world-leader in oncology testing, today announced that it has signed a distributor agreement with Australian-based Vital Diagnostics for its new blood test for mesothelioma - MESOMARK(TM). The agreement marks the beginning of the company's commercial roll-out of MESOMARK, which is now available for the first time in Australia.

"The launch of MESOMARK is a significant event for Fujirebio Diagnostics and greatly enhances our product portfolio, underscoring our commitment to commercialize high quality diagnostic tools that improve cancer patient care," said Dr. Jeffrey Allard, vice-president and chief scientific officer at FDI. "MESOMARK is the first in-vitro diagnostic test for patients with mesothelioma and has the potential to improve survival rates and quality of life for patients with this aggressive and often fatal disease."

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which fluid accumulates between the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. It is primarily caused by work-related asbestos exposure and has a latency period of up to 75 years. It is estimated that 10,000 new cases are diagnosed each year among industrialized countries.

MESOMARK is a manual enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for managing mesothelioma. It works by identifying a group of molecular markers called soluble mesothelin-related proteins (SMRP), which are released into the blood-stream by mesothelioma cells.

Because SMRPs can be elevated for several years before an actual diagnosis of mesothelioma can be made, MESOMARK will help in the routine monitoring of asbestos exposed individuals who are at greatest risk for developing mesothelioma.

Co-inventor of the technology, Dr. Ingegerd Hellstrom, said, "I am pleased that Fujirebio Diagnostics has delivered this important diagnostic tool to the clinical community. While mesothelioma is a rare disease, it is often rapidly fatal. This test may one day lead to detection of mesothelioma at an early and potentially curable stage."

About Vital Diagnostics

Vital Diagnostics, formed as Clinical Data in February 1993, is a leading independent niche marketer of laboratory diagnostics and instrumentation to the Australasian diagnostics market. The company is a majority owned subsidiary of Clinical Data, Inc. (CLDA). Vital Diagnostics promotes its products in the Australasian market utilizing key account managers based in Auckland, Sydney and Melbourne, and is able to provide comprehensive applications and product support for all of the products it distributes. Vital Diagnostics is an active member of the Medical Industry Association of Australia (www.miaa.org.au). It has a diverse customer base in both medical and scientific laboratories.