News for SpectraScience (SCIE)
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With what we believe to be the first of many announcements, "University of Iowa to Begin Using LUMA(R) Cervical Pre-Cancer Imaging Device", we think SpectraScience (OTCBB:SCIE) is a compelling stock, and more timely now that it is demonstrating traction on its announced move from R&D into commercialization in the multi-billion dollar cancer screening and diagnostic sector. The company designs and develops cancer screening devices that demonstrate a higher degree of sensitivity than current gold standards, which result in more efficiency at the physician's clinic and earlier detection which paves the way for reduced mortality rates through better and earlier treatment. The company announced this week that the University of Iowa will be using its LUMA cervical cancer screening devices at its clinic.
The Des Moine Register wrote that the Luma "is being called the most significant advance in more than 50 years for detecting cervical cancer."
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Growth Drivers for the Company, and Stock
Screening for colon and cervical cancer are massive markets.
- Colon - Health experts recommend that men and women of average risk should begin colorectal screenings at age 50. The number of Americans aged 65 and older are expected to double to 70 million by 2030 increasing the need.
- Cervix - Recommendations for cervical cancer screening are about three years after first sexual intercourse or by age 21, whichever comes first. Research indicates that women are engaging in sexual activity at earlier ages. The Census Bureau shows that the total population in the U.S. has increased by more than 20 million in the past seven years, and women represent slightly more than 50% of this growth.
· Better solution - the prospect of higher accuracy and a higher level of efficiency make SpectraScience's LUMA and WavSTAT extremely attractive in an environment where physicians are increasingly challenged by time constraints due to an increasing number of patients. Moreover, the LUMA system has been shown to detect 26% more high grade cancer precursors than colposcopy alone.
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The company has assembled a formidable team, supported at the board level by industry veterans including Tommy Thompson, former head of the Department of Health and Human Services, and Stan Pappelbaum, former President and CEO of Scripps Hospital with annual revenues of more than $1 billion. A research report from Hayden Communications estimates that the company will ramp from about $580 thousand this year to about $7.3 million next year, which would put the stock at yesterday's close around 5.37x forward 2009 P/S. Hayden has forecast revenue of $14.9 million and EBITDA of $5.2 million for FY 2010.
SpectraScience recently added what we think was the last critical piece to this explosive growth ramp, bring industry veteran Christopher Jackson, who is proven at bringing development stage companies to meaningful financial performance. At a previous company, Adeza Biomedical, a women's health and cancer diagnostics company, Jackson led the company's expansion of sales from an annual run-rate of $750 thousand to $44 million. Adeza was sold in 2007 to Cytyc Corporation (Nasdaq:CYTC) for $450 million, or about $24 per share. We think the revenue opportunity for SpectraScience is much larger than Adeza's, given that SpectraScience is targeting cervical and colon cancer, with an indication on the way for Barrett's Esophagus, a market opportunity that is potentially larger than the cervical and colon cancer markets combined.
We will look forward to providing further updates on the progress at SpectraScience and think it is a compelling investment opportunity for our readers.
Disclaimer Note: Outcast, Inc. expects to be paid a fee of $6,000 for PR services and $5,400 for website development by SpectraScience. SCPEditor is associated with Hayden Communications, which is a corporate communications representative of SpectraScience.
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