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Epigenomics AG

EANS-News: Epigenomics AG Licenses Biomarker for Colorectal Cancer Blood Test Screening to Canadian Warnex Medical Laboratories

Warnex to offer a laboratory-developed blood testing service based on
Epigenomics' Septin9 Biomarker
  Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely
  responsible for the content of this announcement.
Licensing Agreements/Molecular diagnostics
Subtitle: Warnex to offer a laboratory-developed blood testing 
service based on Epigenomics' Septin9 Biomarker
Press release Berlin, Germany, and Laval, QC, Canada, May, 03, 2010 
(euro adhoc) - Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt Prime Standard: ECX), a 
cancer molecular diagnosis company and Warnex Medical Laboratories, a
division of Warnex Inc. (TSX: WNX), a Canadian life sciences company,
today announced that they have signed a non-exclusive licensing 
agreement for Epigenomics' colorectal cancer biomarker Septin9. Under
the terms of the agreement, Warnex has obtained the rights to 
establish a laboratory-developed test for Septin9 and offer 
colorectal cancer blood testing services in Canada. Warnex plans to 
launch the testing service in the next few months. As the first 
laboratory to offer Septin9 testing in Canada, Warnex, subject to 
certain conditions, enjoys a time-limited head-start period of 
exclusivity for the Canadian market. Epigenomics will be entitled to 
certain royalty payments. Further contractual details were not 
disclosed.
In numerous studies with over 3,300 blood samples, Epigenomics has 
demonstrated that methylated DNA of the Septin9 gene in blood plasma 
is a reliable indicator of colorectal cancer of all stages and all 
locations. This paved the way for a convenient blood test for 
colorectal cancer early detection that can easily be integrated into 
the patient's routine physical, is non-invasive and does not require 
any drug or dietary restrictions.
"Warnex is the ideal partner to make colorectal cancer blood testing 
based on our Septin9 biomarker available in Canada. This agreement is
an important further step in the international rollout of Septin9 
testing, which is already commercially available in the US and 
Europe", commented Geert Nygaard, Chief Executive Officer of 
Epigenomics.
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in 
Canada. In 2009, an estimated number of 22,000 Canadians were 
diagnosed with the disease and 9,100 died from it. As colorectal 
cancer is largely curable when detected in early, still localized 
stages, the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada recommends that 
all Canadians age 50 and over undergo screening with a test detecting
blood in stool (fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test)
at least once every two years. If a test is positive for blood, a 
colonoscopy should be performed to determine the cause of bleeding. 
Despite the clear benefits of colorectal cancer screening in reducing
mortality from this disease, only 4% to 14% of eligible Canadians 
follow the screening recommendations. Innovative convenient screening
methods could greatly increase compliance with current guidelines and
thereby contribute to reducing mortality from colorectal cancer.1
"We are pleased to add this colorectal cancer test based on real-time
PCR technology to our service offering as part of our continued 
commitment to offering the most advanced specialized diagnostic 
services to Canadian healthcare professionals," said Mark Busgang, 
President and CEO of Warnex. "This blood test, using Epigenomics' 
Septin9 biomarker, offers an easy and accurate method to help 
diagnose patients with colorectal cancer."
About Warnex
Warnex (www.warnex.ca) is a life sciences company devoted to 
protecting public health by providing laboratory services to the 
pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. Warnex Analytical Services 
provides pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies with a variety of
quality control services, including chemistry, chromatography, 
microbiology, method development and validation, and stability 
studies. Warnex Bioanalytical Services specializes in bioequivalence 
and bioavailability studies for clinical trials. Warnex Medical 
Laboratories provides specialized testing for the healthcare industry
as well as pharmaceutical and central laboratory services. Warnex 
PRO-DNA Services offers DNA identification tests for paternity, 
maternity and other family relationships, as well as for immigration 
and forensic testing purposes. Warnex has three facilities located in
Laval and Blainville, Quebec, and Thunder Bay, Ontario.
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 on the market and in development aim 
at diagnosing cancer at an early stage before symptoms occur and 
thereby may reduce mortality from this dreaded disease.
Epigenomics' product portfolio contains the CE-marked IVD test Epi 
proColon, the world's first regulatory cleared molecular diagnostic 
test for the detection of colorectal cancer in blood that is based on
the biomarker Septin9, and further proprietary DNA methylation 
biomarkers and IVD products at various stages of development for 
colorectal, lung and prostate cancer. For development and global 
commercialization of IVD test products, Epigenomics pursues a dual 
business strategy in which direct commercialization of proprietary 
diagnostic test products is combined with non-exclusive licensing to 
diagnostic industry players with broad customer access. Strategic 
diagnostics industry partners include Abbott Molecular, Sysmex 
Corporation, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, and ARUP Laboratories, 
Inc. for diagnostics test products and services, and QIAGEN N.V. for 
sample preparation solutions and research products. The company is 
headquartered in Berlin, Germany, and has a wholly owned subsidiary, 
Epigenomics Inc., in Seattle, WA, U.S.A. For more information, please
visit Epigenomics' website at www.epigenomics.com.
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS BY WARNEX Certain 
statements contained in this news release are forward-looking and are
subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, known and unknown. For 
information identifying known risks and uncertainties, relating to 
financial resources, liquidity risk, key customers and business 
partners, credit risk, foreign currency risk, government regulations,
laboratory facilities, volatility of share price, employees, 
suppliers, and other important factors that could cause actual 
results to differ materially from those anticipated in the 
forward-looking statements, please refer to the heading Risks and 
Uncertainties in Warnex's most recent Management's Discussion and 
Analysis, which can be found at www.sedar.com. Consequently, actual 
results may differ materially from the anticipated results expressed 
in these forward-looking statements.
Epigenomics legal disclaimers. 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.
The information contained in this communication does not constitute 
nor imply an offer to sell or transfer any product, and no product 
based on this technology is currently available for sale in the 
United States. The analytical and clinical performance 
characteristics of any product based on this technology which may be 
sold at some future time in the U.S. have not been established.
References: 1 http://www.britannica.com/bps/additionalcontent/18/3156
3639/Reasons-for-Declining-Colorectal-Cancer-Screening-by-Older-Canad
ians-A-Pilot-Study
end of announcement                               euro adhoc

Further inquiry note:

Epigenomics AG
Dr. Achim Plum
Sen. VP Corporate Development
Tel: +49 30 24345 368
achim.plum@epigenomics.com

Branche: Biotechnology
ISIN: DE000A0BVT96
WKN: A0BVT9
Index: Prime All Share, Technology All Share
Börsen: Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
Berlin / free trade
Hamburg / free trade
Stuttgart / free trade
Düsseldorf / free trade
München / free trade

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