HALO Healthcare Finalizes License Agreement With University of North Dakota for Cancer Detection Biomarkers
<0> Halo HealthcareDr. Tom Ritter, 949-753-7844 ext 602orUniversity of North Dakota, Division of Research and Economic DevelopmentPeter Johnson, 701-777-4317UND EXECUTIVE Associate Vice President for University Relations </0>
HALO Healthcare, Inc., a provider of innovative diagnostic solutions for women’s breast care announced that it has signed a definitive license agreement with the University of North Dakota (UND) to develop biomarkers for the early detection of breast cancer. Early detection of breast cancer has significant health and economic benefits. The licensed UND technology is based on detecting cancer biomarkers in breast nipple aspirate fluid (NAF) which is the platform used for the HALO® Breast Test marketed by Halo Healthcare for breast cancer risk assessment. Over 25,000 HALO tests have been performed worldwide.
France Dixon Helfer, President and CEO of Halo Healthcare states, “This license has the opportunity of providing women all over the world an annual early breast detection test years before it is visible by mammography or other imaging technologies used for breast cancer screening. Our scientists are developing a laboratory 'test kit' which could revolutionize the breast cancer care path. This empowering breakthrough technology will enable physicians to find and treat breast cancer at a very early stage so all women can be spared the devastating effects of later staged breast cancer.”
Dr. Edward Sauter, the inventor of the biomarker technology and a practicing breast surgeon, acknowledges the potential clinical value by noting “this biomolecular technology strikes at the root cause of cancer and its development is the result of many years of research effort.” Dr. Sauter further states that “with appropriate clinical validation the test will be of great value to breast cancer specialists and to women.”
“The University of North Dakota is happy to have executed this definitive exclusive license agreement with HALO Healthcare, Inc.,” said Michael F. Moore, the university’s associate vice president, intellectual property commercialization & economic development. “We believe HALO Healthcare is a dedicated partner, committed to developing this technology to improve breast cancer diagnostic technology. UND looks forward to a long relationship with HALO Healthcare.”
Halo Healthcare develops solutions to promote optimal women’s health including the HALO® Breast Test and detection assays for breast cancer.
The HALO Breast Pap Test is the first fully automated noninvasive breast disease-screening device for use in physician offices. It is FDA-cleared for the collection of nipple aspirate fluid (NAF) for cytological evaluation. Like the Pap test for cervical cancer, HALO looks for cellular changes years before breast cancer is detectable by mammographic imaging. To learn more about the Halo test and to locate a physician user go to halohc.com or call (877) HALOPAP.
The University of North Dakota is located in Grand Forks. The campus includes 223 buildings on 550 acres. It is the state’s most comprehensive intensive research university and the primary center for professional education and training. Since 2001, the University has received $890.6 million for sponsored programs from internal and external sources.
UND was intended to be, and has remained, a university with a strong liberal arts foundation surrounded by a variety of professional and specialized programs. UND is one of only 47 public universities in the nation with both accredited graduate schools of law and medicine. UND enrolls over 14,000 students (fall 2011) in 220 fields of study from baccalaureate through doctoral and professional degrees.
Halo Healthcare, Inc. 19800 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 650, Irvine, CA 92612
University of North Dakota, Division of Research and Economic Development, Twamley Hall, Room 100, Grand Forks, ND 58202-7095