ADZA Adeza Biomedical (MM)

Adeza (NASDAQ:ADZA) today announced that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX), the nation's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, is offering reference laboratory service for Adeza's FullTerm(TM), The Fetal Fibronectin Test to physicians nationwide. Through its national network of laboratories and patient service centers, Quest Diagnostics will analyze fetal fibronectin test samples collected from patients by physicians' offices and clinics throughout the United States. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. "Increasing the nationwide availability of FullTerm, The Fetal Fibronectin Test through Quest Diagnostics better positions Adeza to further penetrate the market for women at risk for preterm birth who are typically seen in the physician's office," said Emory V. Anderson, president and chief executive officer. Of the approximately 4 million births that occur annually in the United States, more than 500,000, or approximately one per minute, are premature. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, preterm births have historically accounted for up to 85% of all pregnancy-related complications and deaths in the United States. The March of Dimes estimates that more than $18.1 billion in costs were associated with the care of preterm or low-birth-weight infants in 2003. "Fetal fibronectin is an adhesive glycoprotein that is the 'glue' at the maternal-fetal interface of pregnant women and is a direct biochemical predictor of preterm birth risk. A woman with a negative or normal fetal fibronectin test result at 22 to 24 weeks has less than a 1% chance of delivery in the next four weeks, which can provide reassurance and valuable peace of mind during a period of time that is exciting and stressful. However, a woman with a positive or elevated fetal fibronectin test result is nearly 60 times more likely to deliver a premature infant within the next four weeks or before her next routine prenatal visit," said Durlin E. Hickok, MD, vice-president, medical affairs. "According to published studies, the fetal fibronectin test has been shown to be the single strongest independent predictor of preterm birth." About Adeza Adeza designs, manufactures and markets innovative products for women's health. Adeza's initial focus is on reproductive healthcare, using its proprietary technologies to predict preterm birth and assess infertility. Adeza's principal product is a patented diagnostic test, FullTerm, The Fetal Fibronectin Test, which utilizes a single-use, disposable cassette and is analyzed on Adeza's patented TLiIQ(R) System. This product is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in assessing the risk of preterm birth. Adeza also markets and sells the E-tegrity(R) Test, an infertility-related test to assess receptivity of the uterus to embryo implantation in women with unexplained infertility. More information is available at www.adeza.com. Adeza cautions you that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts may be forward-looking statements, including, for example, statements relating to Adeza's marketing strategy and its relationship with Quest Diagnostics. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Adeza that any of its plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in this release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Adeza's business including, without limitation, statements about its business and marketing strategy, business and marketing execution, and the expansion of the indications for its products. Further information about these and other risks is included in Adeza's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other periodic and current reports filed by Adeza with the Securities Exchange Commission, which are available from the SEC's website (www.sec.gov), and also available on the Investors section of our website. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and Adeza undertakes no obligation to revise or update this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and Adeza undertakes no obligation to revise or update this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.