ChromaVision Developing Cancer Tests

ChromaVision Medical Systems Inc. announced that it is working on three tests to detect the spread of various cancers.

The San Juan Capistrano maker of imaging systems to detect cellular diseases said the tests could be on the market next year. One of the tests detects indicators of colon cancer, another measures breast cancer and the third detects cancers in the nervous system of children.

The tests do not need to go through regulatory scrutiny, because the FDA gave the company broad clearance for a computerized testing system to detect early cancers, including those tests under development, the company said.

The company estimates the market for these three tests is a combined $38 million yearly. In the last year, ChromaVision has introduced eight new cancer tests.

The company lost $3.7 million over three months ending in June, compared with a loss of $2.9 million in the period a year ago. Revenue rose 15% to $338,000.

Marc Ballon covers the biomedical and biotechnology industry for The Times. He can be reached at (714) 966-7439 and at marc.ballon@latimes.com.