Medical Science Systems Signs Agreement With Washington Dental Service, Member Delta Dental Plan Association, for PST-r-

Business Wire, Jan 19, 1999

SAN ANTONIO, Texas--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 19, 1999--Medical Science Systems Inc. (NASDAQ symbol:MSSI) announced today that it has signed an agreement with Washington Dental Service, a member of the Delta Dental Plans Association, for the purchase of 1,200 PST tests.

PST is the company's genetic susceptibility test for periodontal disease (gum disease). The tests will be used in a study, sponsored by Washington Dental Service, in collaboration with the University of Washington School of Dentistry and Medical Science Systems. The study is designed to quantify the relationship between PST genotype status and the utilization of dental services by patients in a dental plan.

The study, scheduled to begin in early 1999, will provide scientific and financial information about PST in a reimbursement system. If patients who are at increased risk for periodontal disease can be identified early using PST, services can be provided which should minimize the progression of disease and the cost and complications of its consequences.

The most costly dental procedures for the payer are usually those associated with tooth loss due to advanced disease (i.e., bridges, partial dentures, implants, etc.). Advanced disease, of course, also has high "quality of life" costs for patients (i.e., pain, time, resources, etc.). Therefore, early identification and intervention of high-risk patients is in everyone's best interest. This study will provide valuable scientific and financial data regarding the use of PST as a treatment-planning tool to assess risk before the damage is done. The data from the study should be available for analysis by the second or third quarter of 1999.

"The findings from this study will contribute to our ability to identify those at increased risk for periodontal disease and help this corporation target our resources appropriately," said Michael del Aguila, M.S., Ph.D., Director of Outcomes Assessment for Washington Dental Service. "It will also help us establish whether the use of PST can add value to our plans."

According to Vice President and Dental Director of Washington Dental Service, Maxwell H. Anderson, D.D.S., "Washington Dental Service is pleased to begin this cooperative research project with Medical Science Systems and the University of Washington. This research endeavor represents the research mandate of our Board of Directors who have championed the precepts of evidence-based care.

"We believe that this research will provide us solid clinical and economic data for formulating our future dental product designs. It will help us with risk assessment for periodontal susceptibility in our populations. If this strategy is sufficiently sensitive as a stand-alone product or when correlated with other data, we will engage in providing added benefits to those individuals shown to be at risk for periodontal diseases. This will further our aims of changing our industry from one focused on repair to a profession able to sustain wellness in treated populations."

The study will be conducted at the Regional Clinical Dental Research Center at the University of Washington School of Dentistry. The Center is supported in part by grants from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institute of Health. "This study will contribute significantly to our goal of conducting research that will prevent oral and dental disease and improve oral health," said Roy C. Page, D.D.S., Ph.D, Professor of Periodontics and Director of the Clinical Center.

"We are very pleased to have the opportunity to work with Washington Dental Service and the University of Washington on this study," said Dr. Kenneth Kornman, Chief Scientific Officer for Medical Science Systems. "We are confident that this is a critical step toward demonstrating the clinical value of PST in a reimbursement context."

Medical Science Systems Inc. is dedicated to the development and commercialization of genetic susceptibility tests for common diseases that are treatable and, to some extent, preventable. Discovery and development work is focused on identifying markers and therapeutic targets for other chronic inflammatory diseases where genetics play an important role.

The company's mission is to improve wellness, clinical outcomes and healthcare delivery by incorporating genetic information on disease susceptibility into overall risk assessment, treatment planning and disease management. Products under development by the company include genetic susceptibility testing products for coronary artery disease, osteoporosis, diabetic retinopathy (blindness associated with diabetes) and asthma. PST(r) was made commercially available by the company in the U.S. in the fourth quarter of 1997.

Washington Dental Service is a part of the Delta Dental Plans system, serving Washington State. Delta Dental is the largest dental benefits organization in the U.S. covering over 32 million people.

PST(r) is a registered service mark of Medical Science Systems Inc.

Additional information can be found on Medical Science Systems website at www.medscience.com.