The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given its green signal to Roche Molecular Systems’s alternative papilloma virus test to treat cervical cancer.
The test, commonly known as the Cobas HPV test, is a DNA-based test for the virus that can cause cervical cancer.
The research and clinical trial for the newly FDA-approved Cobas HPV test was conducted in Pleasanton. After the FDA nod, the medical exam will soon be available nationwide.
Hailing the decision, Paul Brown, CEO of Roche Molecular Systems, said, “This is all about preventing cervical cancer. This new FDA-approved exam proved its worth in clinical tests on 47,000 women.”
He further said that the new medical test would allow the doctor to make a decision about whether the woman was at risk or had cervical cancer.
Meanwhile, the Cobas HPV test was not welcomed by many as they claim it may not be “a proper predictor.” They have also condemned the developers for the whopping costs of the test, which is more than twice as much as the traditional Pap smear screening.
Brown and company has played down the criticism, saying: “If you can prevent the woman from getting cervical cancer, you have a very significant benefit to the health care system because having to manage and treat a woman that gets cervical cancer is extremely expensive.”