NAMUR, Belgium, October 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- VolitionRx Limited (OTCQB: VNRX), a life sciences company focused on developing blood-based diagnostic tests, today announced that it has initiated sponsorship of Sean Swarner, the first cancer survivor to summit Mt. Everest, to raise awareness of the importance of early detection of cancer. Through this sponsorship, VolitionRx is in-part supporting Sean's next adventure of trekking to the South Pole to help demonstrate to the world that cancer is not a death sentence, that there are steps people can take to aid in the early detection of cancer, and that survivors can enjoy a high quality of life post-treatment.
Sean was diagnosed with two different, unrelated and deadly forms of cancer in his teenage years, and after an incredibly poor prognosis through which he spent a year in a medically-induced coma, stunned his doctors when he survived both diseases. With only one functioning lung, Swarner became the first cancer survivor to summit Mt. Everest and went on to ascend the highest peaks on each continent, thus completing the 7 Summits, as well as an Ironman World Championship.
Dr. Martin Faulkes, Chairman of VolitionRx, remarked, "Responsible corporate citizenship is at the heart of what we do at VolitionRx, so we are excited to be helping Sean reach his goal of trekking to the South Pole in January 2015. Through his adventures, Sean empowers people to embrace their own goals and aims to challenge the way they think, which are virtues we at VolitionRx hold in esteemed regard. We have aligned with Sean to demonstrate that one of the best ways to survive cancer is early detection through screening, which is why we are currently developing blood-based diagnostic tests that have the potential to dramatically improve five-year survival rates. As part of VolitionRx's commitment to meaningful corporate social responsibility, our sponsorship of Sean is an example of support for long-term survival of cancer patients who provide motivation to our team every day."
Sean Swarner, commented, "I am honored and thankful to be collaborating with VolitionRx, a unique and innovative company focused on the development of diagnostic tests for the early detection of cancer. Together, I am confident that we can help show people that one's life does not end with cancer diagnosis, highlight the importance of early detection and demonstrate the need for better, simpler and cost-effective tests that accurately detect cancers early in the treatment paradigm."
VolitionRx is first investigating its diagnostic test in colorectal cancer, which is one of the more survivable diseases if caught early: it has an observed five-year survival rate of 74% in stage I, but only 6% in stage IV. VolitionRx's NuQ® blood-based diagnostic platform aims to meet the need of early detection by detecting colorectal cancer through a simple, accurate, cost-effective, blood test. The NuQ® tests utilize the Company's proprietary Nucleosomics® platform, which identifies and measures circulating nucleosome structures for the presence of epigenetic cancer signals within the blood.
For more information and to follow Sean Swarner on his South Pole expedition in January 2015, visit www.seanswarner.com and www.volitionrx.com.
About VolitionRx
VolitionRx is a life sciences company focused on developing blood-based diagnostic tests. The tests are based on the science of Nucleosomics which is the practice of identifying and measuring nucleosomes in the bloodstream - an indication that cancer is present.
VolitionRx's goal is to make the tests as common and simple to use, for both patients and doctors, as existing diabetic and cholesterol blood tests. VolitionRx's research and development activities are currently centred in Belgium as the company focuses on bringing its diagnostic products to market first in Europe, then in the US and ultimately, worldwide.
Visit VolitionRx's website (www.volitionrx.com) or connect with us via Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook.
Media Contacts:
Charlotte Reynolds, VolitionRx
Telephone: +44 (0) 795 217 7498
Charlotte.Reynolds@volitionrx.com
Kirsten Thomas, The Ruth Group
kthomas@theruthgroup.com
Telephone: +1 (646) 536-7014
Investor Contacts
Scott Powell, VolitionRx
S.Powell@volitionrx.com
Telephone: +1 (917) 721-9480
Lee Roth, The Ruth Group
lroth@theruthgroup.com
Telephone: +1 (646) 536-7012
Forward Looking Statement
Statements in this press release may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that concern matters that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected in the forward-looking statements. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "optimizing," "potential," "goal," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements relate to the Company's ability to develop and successfully commercialize a blood-based diagnostic test platform for early detection of cancer. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements due to numerous risks and uncertainties. For instance, if we fail to develop and commercialize diagnostic products, we may be unable to execute our plan of operations. Other risks and uncertainties include the Company's failure to obtain necessary regulatory clearances or approvals to distribute and market future products in the clinical IVD market; a failure by the marketplace to accept the products in the Company's development pipeline or any other diagnostic products the Company might develop; the Company will face fierce competition and the Company's intended products may become obsolete due to the highly competitive nature of the diagnostics market and its rapid technological change; and other risks identified in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as other documents that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company's business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and, except as required by law, the Company does not undertake an obligation to update its forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.
