World’s First SVM-Based Image Analysis iPhone App for Melanoma Risk Assessment, MelApp, Launched by Health Discovery Corporation

SAVANNAH, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Health Discovery Corporation (OTCBB: HDVY), a molecular diagnostics company that uses patent protected advanced mathematical techniques for personalized medicine, places its vast expertise in the palms of health-conscious consumers with the launch of its first iPhone app called MelApp. This new iPhone App for Melanoma Risk Assessment is designed to help users learn about melanoma and identify areas on their skin which may need attention from a physician specializing in the diagnosis of melanoma. MelApp can assist in the early detection of melanoma with the goal of ultimately saving lives.

“We see great potential in MelApp becoming part of the monthly skin self-exams recommended by The National Cancer Institute and the American Academy of Dermatology.”

MelApp uses patent protected, highly sophisticated, state-of-the-art mathematical algorithms and image based pattern recognition technology to analyze the uploaded image. MelApp was validated using an image database licensed from Johns Hopkins University Medical Center. Using the iPhone camera feature, users can take a picture of their skin lesions and moles and within seconds receive a risk analysis of their uploaded picture being a melanoma. Utilizing your iPhone GPS, MelApp can refer you to a nearby physician specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma for proper medical follow up, without the need to input a zip code or any personal information. These pictures also can be stored on MelApp and reviewed for changes in the skin lesions occurring over time.

Herbert A. Fritshe, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer for Health Discovery Corp. and retired Professor of Laboratory Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, states, “This easy to use, inexpensive iPhone app is meant to raise the public awareness of melanoma and the need for its early detection. MelApp has the ability to help consumers worldwide identify the risk of melanoma in skin lesions and seek appropriate medical care.”

Melanoma is the fastest growing cancer worldwide, and the most deadly of all skin cancers, if not caught early. However, melanoma can be successfully removed and monitored by regular skin screenings in its early stages. The disease is deadly in its most advanced stages as few treatment options exist. The median lifespan for patients with advanced melanoma is less than one year.

The incidence of people under 30 developing melanoma is increasing faster than any other demographic group, soaring by 50 percent in young women since 1980. Melanoma primarily affects individuals in the prime years of life and is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second most common cancer in adolescents and young adults 15-29 years old. Although melanoma is most common in Caucasians, melanoma can strike men and women of all ages, all races and all skin types.

“There has been a dramatic increase in the number of melanoma cases the world over in the past few decades. But what’s most important is not the rise in the number of cases, but that with early detection, it’s curable with a 90 to 95 percent success rate,” explains Stephen D. Barnhill, M.D., Chairman and CEO of Health Discovery Corporation. “We see great potential in MelApp becoming part of the monthly skin self-exams recommended by The National Cancer Institute and the American Academy of Dermatology.”

MelApp by Health Discovery Corporation launches with a special limited time introductory price of $1.99 and is currently available in the iTunes App Store. More complete details about the mobile health app can be found at http://www.melapp.net.

If you are a physician who diagnoses and treats melanoma, and would like to become a subscribed member of our physician referral network, please contact us at melappreferral@healthdiscoverycorp.com.

About Health Discovery Corporation

Health Discovery Corporation is a molecular diagnostics company that uses advanced mathematical techniques to analyze large amounts of data to uncover patterns that might otherwise be undetectable. It operates primarily in the emerging field of personalized medicine where such tools are critical to scientific discovery. Its primary business consists of licensing its intellectual property and developing its own product line of biomarker-based diagnostic tests that include human genes and genetic variations, as well as gene, protein, and metabolic expression differences and image analysis in digital pathology and radiology. For more information, see www.healthdiscoverycorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the accuracy of which is necessarily subject to risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, statements regarding future performance, opportunities and investments, and anticipated results in general. From time to time the Company may make other forward-looking statements in relation to other matters, including without limitation, commercialization plans and strategic partnerships. Actual results may differ materially due to a variety of factors, including, among other things, the acceptance of our approach to applying mathematics, computer science and physics into the disciplines of biology, organic chemistry and medicine and our products and technologies associated with those approaches, the ability to develop and commercialize new drugs, therapies or other products based on our approaches, and other factors set forth from time to time in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

All forward-looking statements and cautionary statements included in this document are made as of the date hereof based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or cautionary statement.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6783864&lang=en