Cytocell Ltd Introduces New ROS1 Genetic Test for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

CAMBRIDGE, England, October 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –

Cytocell Ltd. today announced the availability of a new molecular cytogenetic test
designed to identify the presence of gene rearrangements associated with a specific form
of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These rearrangements in a gene known as ROS1 (c-ros
oncogene 1) have been implicated in the formation of cancerous tumors in patients with
NSCLC.

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Lung cancer is the world’s leading cause of cancer death with more than 1.6 million
new cases diagnosed each year. About 85 percent of lung cancer patients have the
non-small-cell type and are usually diagnosed with advanced disease with a very low
survival rate. ALK gene rearrangements have been shown to respond to therapies that block
the ALK pathway. Over 2 percent of those patients are thought to have ROS1 gene
rearrangements and have been shown to respond to ALK/MET tyrosine kinase inhibitors such
as Xalkori(R)(crizotinib). The Cytocell ROS1 Breakapart FISH probe uses Fluorescence In
Situ Hybridization (FISH) technology to detect rearrangements of the ROS1 gene on
chromosome 6 in band 6q22 in tumors. The new Cytocell assay will complement the existing
Cytocell Pathology range which also includes the equally important ALK Breakapart FISH
probe. It is anticipated that both FISH probes will be used for research, testing, and to
support evaluations of new therapies for NSCLC.

Dr Martin Lawrie, Managing Director of Cytocell stated, “Understanding the mechanisms
of lung cancer and developing new tests that further increase our knowledge are key to our
strategic focus at Cytocell. Through the utilisation of Cytocell’s BACs collection and the
myProbes(R) customised probe service we were firstly able to offer this probe to several
key researchers before launching it as a catalogue item.”

About Cytocell Ltd.

Cytocell is a leading European developer and manufacturer of FISH probes for use in
both routine cytogenetics and in the analysis and classification of Cancers. The Company’s
products are well established in Cytogenetics as the Company is celebrating its 20th year
of supplying them to this market. More recently, the Company has focused on developing
products for Oncology and now has a catalogue of some 350 products for Cytogenetics,
Haematology and Solid Tumour analysis as well as developing custom FISH probes for
customers with specific interests under the myProbes(R) brand. Cytocell’s products are
available through a well established distributor network, covering more than 60 countries
worldwide. Cytocell’s FISH probe service is currently proving to be invaluable to cancer
researchers and clinicians worldwide.

Cytocell’s news releases and other information are available on the company’s Web site
at http://www.cytocell.com.

        For further enquiries, please contact:

        Stewart Kennedy,
        Tel: +44-7860-455527
        Sales & Marketing Director

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SOURCE Cytocell Ltd