Feb. 5 (Bloomberg) -- CytoCore Inc., a developer of screening systems to assist in the early detection of cancer, rose 15 percent after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved its submission to sell a Pap test device.

The test, called the SoftPAP, aims to reduce the rate of false negatives in the screening of cervical cancer by collecting more cell specimens, the Chicago-based company said today in a statement. The company expects to bring the product to the U.S. market by the end of the first quarter.

SoftPAP reduces the most common side effects women experience because of pap testing, the company said. Studies involving more than 400 cervical cell collections showed a 95 percent reduction in bleeding and spotting, Chief Operating Officer Richard Domanik said in the statement.

CytoCore added 51 cents to $3.96 at 4 p.m. in Over-the- Counter Bulletin Board trading. The shares have almost doubled this year.

To contact the reporters on this story: Kelly Riddell in Washington at Kriddell1@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: February 5, 2008 16:34 EST