Biocept Study Shows Incorporation of Thermo Fisher QuantStudio 5 PCR Instrument into Target Selector Platform Improves Sensitivity and Specificity in Detection of Lung Cancer Biomarkers

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Biocept, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIOC), a leading commercial provider of liquid biopsy tests designed to provide physicians with clinically actionable information to improve the outcomes of patients diagnosed with cancer, announces that incorporation of the Thermo Fisher QuantStudio5 (QS5) real-time PCR instrument into the Company's Target Selector™ ctDNA lung cancer assays improves detection of key lung cancer mutations.  Data from 3,000 samples analyzed using Biocept's liquid biopsy assays for EGFR, BRAF and KRAS mutations demonstrated single mutant copy detection on the QS5 platform with more than 99% sensitivity and more than 99% specificity. The results will be presented in a poster at the Fifth AACR-IASLC International Joint Conference: Lung Cancer Translational Science from the Bench to the Clinic being held January 8-11, 2018 in San Diego. 

"These results demonstrate that the high sensitivity of our Target Selector™ ctDNA assay platform is further improved by the use of QS5 versus the PCR instrument we previously used," said Biocept's Senior Vice President and Senior Medical Director Veena Singh, MD.  "The ability to rapidly and accurately assess the molecular status of a patient's tumor using a simple blood draw can be a critical factor in the selection of individualized targeted therapy. Our tests can further provide for the monitoring of response to therapy over time without invasive tissue biopsies that can be difficult to perform in patients diagnosed with cancer."

"We are very pleased to showcase the superb performance of our Target Selector™ ctDNA assays using the QS5 at this conference attended by professionals directly involved in the care of patients with lung cancer," said Biocept's President and CEO Michael Nall. "We believe that these results further solidify our leadership position in the liquid biopsy segment and are representative of our actions to build the body of evidence supporting the analytical performance and clinical utility of our proprietary liquid biopsy tests."

About the AACR-IASLC International Conference

The Fifth AACR-IASLC International Joint Conference features translational science that spans from basic research at the bench to patient care in the clinic. Historically, this conference has joined a diverse group of attendees (physicians, patient advocates, and scientists in basic, translational, and clinical lung cancer research) and provided a venue to discuss recent advances and establish new collaborations. Sessions range in topics spanning immunotherapy, molecular targets, genetics, drug resistance, clinical trials, patient advocacy, and more. The conference is a dynamic collaboration between the AACR and the IASLC, two organizations committed to the study of cancer, as well as the many individuals charged with the study and treatment of this disease.

About Biocept

Biocept, Inc. is a molecular diagnostics company with commercialized assays for lung, breast, gastric, colorectal and prostate cancers, and melanoma.  The Company uses its proprietary liquid biopsy technology to provide physicians with information for treating and monitoring patients diagnosed with cancer. The Company's patented Target Selector™ liquid biopsy technology platform captures and analyzes tumor-associated molecular markers in both circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and in plasma (ctDNA). With thousands of tests performed, the platform has demonstrated the ability to identify cancer mutations and alterations to inform physicians about a patient's disease and therapeutic options. For additional information, please visit www.biocept.com.

Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations or beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions about future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and the assumptions upon which they are based are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations and assumptions will prove to have been correct. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by the use of words like "may," "will," "should," "could," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "intend," or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. To the extent that statements in this release are not strictly historical, including without limitation statements as to our ability to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, and our ability to support the analytical performance and clinical utility of our liquid biopsy tests , such statements are forward-looking, and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as these statements are subject to numerous risk factors as set forth in our Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings. The effects of such risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this release. We do not plan to update any such forward-looking statements and expressly disclaim any duty to update the information contained in this press release except as required by law. Readers are advised to review our filings with the SEC, which can be accessed over the Internet at the SEC's website located at www.sec.gov.

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SOURCE Biocept, Inc.