Ann: Appendix 4D and Financial Statements - 31 Dec 2016, page-15

I don`t believe MK will be alone with endomicroscopy in a year from now, others will see an opportunity and come knocking especially in gastro. This is a peer reviewed paper that MK has released that shows the future for endomicroscopy in gastro. Cost pressures will have an impact when it comes to taking up endomicroscopy

• Two-third fewer biopsies required to confirm gastric intestinal metaplasia compared to conventional imaging
• Higher diagnostic yield of 65.7% for gastric intestinal metaplasia, compared to 15.7% with conventional imaging (p<0.001)

Almost one million new cases of stomach cancer were estimated to have occurred in 2012, making it the fifth most common malignancy in the world, after cancers of the lung, breast, colorectum and prostate. Half the world total occurs in Eastern Asia (mainly in China). Stomach cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in both sexes worldwide (723,000 deaths, 8.8% of the total). The highest estimated mortality rates are in Eastern Asia (24 per 100,000 in men, 9.8 per 100,000 in women)².
In their summary table, the authors considered CLE as a mature technology and not necessitating additional clinical evidence in this application, and highlighted the importance of adequate training for accurate CLE diagnosis.
http://www.businesswire.com/news/ho...ority-Endomicroscopy-Diagnosis-Gastric-Cancer