The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Abbott Laboratories' new test for bladder cancer -- which was based in part on research conducted in San Antonio.

Abbott Park, Ill.-based Abbott (NYSE: ABT) developed UroVysion as a test designed to detect genetic changes in bladder cells in urine specimens using a proprietary technology.

The FDA granted Abbott final marketing approval based on its premarket approval application filed in December 2003. The research involved 497 patients with the presence of hematuria -- or blood in the urine -- across 23 sites. "UroVysion is significantly more sensitive than conventional methods for the detection of bladder cancer," says Dr. Michael Sarosdy, a San Antonio urologic oncologist and the lead investigator for UroVysion. "This new use should allow physicians to make an earlier diagnosis, with earlier treatment."

The American Cancer Society estimates there will be about 63,000 new cases of bladder cancer this year. Men are nearly three times more likely to develop bladder cancer than women.