Epigenomics AG Licenses Biomarker for Development of Prostate Cancer Test to Quest Diagnostics
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cooperations/Molecular Diagnostics
February 25, 2009 - Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt, Prime Standard: ECX), a cancer molecular diagnostics company, today announced that it has entered into a non-exclusive licensing agreement for its proprietary biomarker mGSTP1 with U.S.-based Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services.
Under the agreement, Quest Diagnostics has obtained rights to uses of the GSTP1 DNA methylation biomarker (mGSTP1) to establish and commercialize a molecular- based laboratory-developed test that can help pathologists better diagnose prostate cancer based on testing of a patient's tissue specimen. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men in the U.S., with more than 230,000 cases diagnosed annually. Epigenomics and others have demonstrated that methylated DNA of the GSTP1 gene in tissue may indicate the presence of prostate cancer. A test that detects the DNA methylation of the gene GSTP1 in tissue biopsies in combination with conventional histopathology may augment the accuracy of prostate cancer diagnosis in particular in cases with suspicious but inconclusive histology findings or patients with elevated PSA but repeatedly negative biopsies.
Quest Diagnostics' experience in DNA methylation diagnostics includes offering tests for Prader-Willi and Angelman Syndromes, two neurologic epigenetic disorders that may be caused by faulty DNA methylation. In 2008, Quest Diagnostics licensed rights to use Epigenomics' proprietary colorectal cancer biomarker mSEPT9 to develop and validate a blood-based laboratory-developed test as an aid in the detection of colorectal cancer.
"We are pleased that Quest Diagnostics is expanding its menu of DNA methylation tests using our technologies and biomarkers. Quest Diagnostics has a strong record of innovation in diagnostics, including development of other DNA methylation diagnostic tests. They also share our goal to develop technologies that will help physicians achieve improved health outcomes for their patients through better diagnosis of prostate cancer and early detection of colorectal cancer", said Geert Nygaard, Chief Executive Officer of Epigenomics.
About Epigenomics
Epigenomics is a molecular diagnostics company with a focus on the development of novel products for cancer. Using DNA methylation biomarkers, Epigenomics' tests in development aim at diagnosing cancer at an early stage before symptoms occur and thereby may reduce mortality from this dreaded disease.
Epigenomics' product pipeline contains a validated biomarker for the early detection of colorectal cancer in blood plasma, and further proprietary DNA methylation biomarkers at various stages of development for prostate and lung cancer detection in urine, blood and bronchial lavage specimens. Epigenomics' biomarker mSEPT9 for the early detection of colorectal cancer in a simple blood sample demonstrated continuously highest performance in multiple clinical studies with in total about 3,500 individuals tested.
For development and global commercialization of in vitro diagnostic test products, Epigenomics pursues a non-exclusive partnering strategy. Strategic diagnostics industry partners include Abbott Molecular, Philips, Sysmex Corporation and Quest Diagnostics Incorporated for diagnostics test products and services, and QIAGEN N.V. for sample preparation solutions and research products.
Partners in the health care industry and the biomedical research community can access Epigenomics' portfolio of proprietary DNA methylation technologies and biomarkers protected by more than 150 patent families through research products, Biomarker Services, IVD Development Collaborations, and Licensing. The company is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, and has a wholly owned subsidiary in Seattle, WA, U.S.A. For more information, please visit Epigenomics' website at www.epigenomics.com.
Epigenomics' legal disclaimer: This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Epigenomics AG and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Epigenomics AG to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Epigenomics AG is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward- looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
end of announcement euro adhoc
Further inquiry note:
Dr. Achim Plum
Sen. VP Corporate Development
Epigenomics AG
Tel: +49 30 24345 368
achim.plum@epigenomics.com
Branche: Biotechnology
ISIN: DE000A0BVT96
WKN: A0BVT9
Index: Prime All Share, Technologie All Share
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