Xceed has partnered with primary researchers, Charles Joel Rosser, MD (Department of Urology) and Steve Goodison, MD (Department of Surgery), of the University of Florida, to pursue the development of diagnostic test that will provide an earlier, more effective way of diagnosing and monitoring bladder cancer. Together, Xceed and the University of Florida, will perform initial verification and validation of an expression signature that has shown promise as a way to differentiate bladder cancer from other conditions using voided urine samples.

Approximately 700 samples from patients previously identified to have either cancerous or non-cancerous bladder tumors will be run on Xceed's Ziplex® System. If the signature is successfully validated, the partners will continue to work together to pursue subsequent clinical testing to validate the signature for use in patient management.

Dr. Rosser said, "We are excited to be developing our bladder cancer assay on Xceed's Ziplex System. It offers the first chance for us to perform our validation studies on a platform that is easy to use, cost-effective, and well suited for the clinical lab. The medical community has been looking for a better way to diagnose and monitor the disease. The current protocol calls for cystoscopy every three months for two years after diagnosis, followed by every six months for two years, followed by cystoscopy yearly. If we are successful in developing a urine assay to test for bladder cancer, it would not only potentially save lives, but would also reduce the need for frequent cystoscopies – a welcome change to improve patients' quality of life."