BioMark Diagnostics Targets Response to Treatment Application with Its Liquid Biopsy Platform

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 8, 2021) - BioMark Diagnostics Inc. (CSE: BUX) (FSE: 20B) (OTC Pink: BMKDF) ("BioMark") is pleased to announce that the article "Use of Amantadine in the Evaluation of Response to Chemotherapy in Lung Cancer - a Pilot Study" has been published in the peer-reviewed journal Future Science OA.

Rashid A. Bux, President and CEO of BioMark, says, "This publication shows the potential of our liquid biopsy platform's ability to provide a novel and low-cost test to quickly assess a patient's response to cancer treatment so that clinicians can adjust the treatment regimen accordingly. The present pilot study tested the hypothesis that SSAT-1 activity within the tumor, as measured by plasma acetylamantadine concentrations, can be used to monitor patient response to therapy. In this preliminary study and interim analysis, a reduction in the plasma concentration of acetylamantadine was associated with disease remission subsequent to initial chemotherapy in patients diagnosed with stage III lung cancer. This could be used as a simple and effective test to assess response to treatment and to better tailor treatment of the patient as well as reducing side-effects and costs."

The paper is available through open access at https://www.future-science.com/doi/10.2144/fsoa-2020-0176.

BioMark encourages subscription to Future Science for individuals and institutions interested in keeping abreast of new developments in biotechnology and medicine.

This study is the result of a pan-Canadian initiative to identify biomarkers that detect cancer and monitor response to treatment and is also the first to report the ability to detect and quantify plasma concentrations of acetylamantadine in lung cancer patient. BioMark would like to acknowledge and thank the clinicians and the scientific team involved in this study and for their continued support in developing yet another application of its SSAT amantadine assay. BioMark's clinical and scientific team plans to conduct a larger trial at other clinical sites in 2021 based on the outcome of this pilot study.

Clinical Application

During the first few months of lung cancer treatment, the standard monitoring therapeutic efficacy consisting of serial CT scans may not provide clear clinical guidance. Misinterpretation of scans can lead to inappropriate discontinuation of a potentially effective therapy; conversely, an ineffective treatment could be continued hoping for a delayed response that may never come. From a clinical perspective, the development of a reliable test that can assess the effects of chemotherapy and can be performed earlier in the treatment cycle would be highly beneficial as it would avoid prolonged use and toxicity in patients and thus assist in the decision to modify the treatment regimen. Furthermore, assessing response early means security in knowing that the treatment is having the desired effect. Alternatively, early evidence of lack of response allows transition to second-line options for systemic therapy which could then be initiated without delay. Delays in transitioning treatment means a greater burden of disease and reduced ability of patients to tolerate second-line systemic therapy. Thus, researchers, clinicians and experts within the field need to direct their attention to identify reliable, reproducible, and cost-effective measures to evaluate response to chemotherapy that can be implemented worldwide.

World Cancer Day

BioMark salutes all those involved in observing the annual World Cancer Day that was born on the 4 February 2000 at the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium in Paris. The Paris Charter aims to promote research, prevent cancer, improve patient services, raise awareness and mobilize the global community to make progress against cancer, and includes the adoption of World Cancer Day. February 4 is World Cancer Day, an opportunity to unite globally in the effort to end the injustice of preventable suffering from cancer by raising awareness of the patient experience, the need for accessible and equal access to treatment, and working towards cures. We at BioMark aspire to provide leading edge early diagnostic and monitoring of response to treatment that enables better cancer care management.

About Future Science OA

Launched in March 2015, Future Science OA is the inaugural gold open access journal from Future Science Group. It publishes articles covering research of application to human health and utilizes a CC-BY license. Future Science OA embraces the importance of publishing all good-quality research with the potential to further the progress of medical science. Negative and early-phase research will be considered. The journal also features review articles, editorials and perspectives, providing readers with a leading source of commentary and analysis.

About Future Science Group

Founded in 2001, Future Science Group (FSG) is a progressive publisher focused on breakthrough medical, biotechnological, and scientific research. FSG's portfolio includes two imprints, Future Science and Future Medicine. Both publish eBooks and journals. In addition to this core publishing business FSG develops specialist eCommunities. Key titles and sites include Bioanalysis Zone, Epigenomics, Nanomedicine and the award-winning Regenerative Medicine. The aim of FSG is to service the advancement of clinical practice and drug research by enhancing the efficiency of communications among clinicians, researchers and decision-makers, and by providing innovative solutions to their information needs. This is achieved through a customer-centric approach, use of new technologies, products that deliver value-for-money and uncompromisingly high standards.

For all queries, contact Laura Dormer email to: l.dormer@futuremedicine.com.

About BioMark Diagnostics Inc.

BioMark is developing proprietary, non-invasive, and accurate cancer diagnostic solutions which can help detect, monitor and assess treatment for cancer early and cost effectively. The technology can also be used for measuring response to treatment and potentially for serial monitoring for cancer survivors.

Further information about BioMark is available under its profile on the SEDAR website www.sedar.com and on the CSE website https://thecse.com/.

For further information on BioMark, please Contact:
Rashid Ahmed Bux
President & CEO
BioMark Diagnostics Inc.
Tel. 604-370-0779
Email: info@biomarkdiagnostics.com

Forward-Looking Information:

This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business of Biomark. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of BioMark. Although BioMark believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because BioMark can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. BioMark disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this press release.

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