BD is improving the clinical management of cancer – and establishing a source of future business growth.

The Company expanded its presence in cancer diagnostics through the 2006 acquisition of TriPath Imaging, which gave the Company innovative oncology management tools that span cancer screening, diagnosis, prognosis and therapy monitoring. The TriPath platform provides BD with an effective tool for cervical cancer screening.

Screening

The BD SurePath™ Liquid-Based Pap Test uses collection devices that ensure all gathered cells are sent to the laboratory for analysis, which can mean the difference between finding disease and missing it. In the U.S., approximately 90 percent of Pap smears are collected using liquid-based cytology. This approach is preferred because it produces a better picture of cellular-level conditions.

Once at the lab, the BD SurePath sample creates a very clear slide that is easy to screen for abnormal cells. BD is working with physician thought leaders and government officials in other markets to encourage adoption of liquid-based cytology testing methods.

Detection

Over the longer term, BD is pursuing serum-based screening and monitoring assays for ovarian cancer based upon the detection of proprietary biomarker panels. The Company plans to provide new tests that will help detect and improve the management of ovarian cancer. At present, ovarian cancer is rarely detected early and most often results in death within five years. BD is also researching the use of proprietary molecular biomarkers and reagents to predict a patient’s risk of breast cancer recurrence and to help select treatment for patients in the early stages of disease.

In addition, BD currently has clinical trials underway to evaluate a product utilizing molecular markers aimed at improving the reliability of detecting cervical cancer.

Monitoring

Flow cytometry – a field in which BD is a recognized leader – is considered an effective technology for providing information used in the diagnosis and monitoring of “liquid tumors,” leukemia and lymphoma. BD offers clinical laboratories distinct performance advantages with instruments such as the BD FACSCanto™ II System (US), which increases the number of parameters that can be measured simultaneously to give clinicians confidence in their diagnosis and treatment decisions.