BG MedicinevAnnounces Nationwide Availability of Galectin-3 Testing Service through LabCorp

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BG Medicine announced today that Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings (LabCorp®)now offers galectin-3 testing services using the BGM Galectin-3 test for heart failure. The BGM Galectin-3 test was cleared by the FDA in November 2010 as an aid in assessing the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure. Elevated galectin-3 levels are associated with an inherently progressive form of heart failure that is associated with an increased risk of hospitalization or death. LabCorp provides convenient access to galectin-3 testing for physicians and their patients throughout the United States.

“The LabCorp collaboration provides a convenient way for physicians nationwide to become familiar with the role of galectin-3 in heart failure and to access and use galectin-3 testing to improve patient outcomes,” said Pieter Muntendam, MD, President and CEO of BG Medicine. “Galectin-3 testing provides new information on the underlying disease process in patients with heart failure to enable more personalized medical management.”

Heart failure is a condition caused by a combination of diseases or factors that damage or overwork the heart muscle, resulting in its inability to pump blood efficiently to meet the requirements of other body organs. This condition often leads to serious medical complications and is a leading cause of death. According to the American Heart Association, heart failure affects an estimated 5.8 million Americans with 670,000 new diagnoses each year. The estimated direct and indirect cost of this condition in the US is $39.2 billion.

About BG Medicine

BG Medicine is a life sciences company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel diagnostics based on biomarkers to improve patient outcomes and contain healthcare costs. To learn more about galectin-3 and the BGM Galectin-3 test, visit website www.galectin-3.com.



CONTACT:

BG Medicine, Inc.
Michael W. Rogers, 781-890-1199
EVP & Chief Financial Officer

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Massachusetts

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Health  Biotechnology  Pharmaceutical

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