Tous Actualités
Suivre
Abonner Epigenomics AG

Epigenomics AG

EANS-News: Epigenomics AG sponsored Felix Burda Award 2010

Berlin, Germany, and Seattle, WA, USA, April 19, 2010 (euro adhoc) -

Company for the first time supported prestigious award for 
achievement in colorectal cancer screening
Epigenomics' Septin9 
blood test for colorectal cancer early detection available in Germany
since October 2009
Research study aimed at enhancing blood test to
detect precursor lesions nominated for the award
  Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely
  responsible for the content of this announcement.
Company Information/Molecular diagnostics
Subtitle: Company for the first time supported prestigious award for 
achievement in colorectal cancer screening
Epigenomics' Septin9 blood test for colorectal cancer early detection
available in Germany since October 2009
Research study aimed at enhancing blood test to detect precursor 
lesions nominated for the award
Epigenomics AG a Berlin-based molecular diagnostics company that is 
dedicated to the development and introduction of innovative methods 
for the early detection and diagnosis of cancer, this year for the 
first time supported the Felix Burda Award which was awarded on April
18, 2010 during a gala at the Hotel Adlon in Berlin. Since 2003 the 
Felix Burda Foundation with this award honours the most successful, 
innovative and outstanding projects and achievements in colorectal 
cancer screening.
"Just like the Felix Burda Foundation we are convinced that an 
improved and effectively implemented screening is the key to reducing
mortality from colorectal cancer", stated Dr. Achim Plum, Senior Vice
President Corporate Development at Epigenomics AG. "We have the 
highest regard for the foundation's achievements since its 
establishment and feel honoured that with our support of the Award 
but also through our research and products for colorectal cancer 
early detection we can make a contribution to alleviating people's 
fears of this still far too often fatal disease."
In October 2009 Epigenomics AG introduced the world's first 
regulatory cleared test for colorectal cancer early detection in a 
simple blood draw in Europe. The so called Septin9 test sensitively 
detects tumor DNA in blood, which is a reliable indicator for the 
presence of a colorectal carcinoma. The test addresses individuals 
who should get screened for colorectal cancer but shy away from 
colonoscopy, the gold standard in colorectal cancer prevention, as a 
first-line approach to screening and who do not want to perform 
stool-based tests. The rejection of current methods leads to more 
than 50% of the eligible population not participating in screening in
Germany. In particular for these people, the Septin9 test may provide
a convenient alternative to get screened.
Contrary to currently available stool tests, for which patients are 
responsible themselves for the correct sampling, all the patient has 
to do for the Septin9 test is to agree to a blood draw at the family 
physician's office. No restrictions in diet or medications have to be
followed before the test is performed. Thus, the patient can 
spontaneously decide to do the test at the family doctor's office. If
tested positive for Septin9 the patient will be recommended to 
undergo a colonoscopy as a follow-up for definitive diagnosis. First 
experience with the Septin9 test in clinical routine show, that those
patients who do test positive actually follow this recommendation.
In early 2010 the applicability of this new approach to population 
wide colorectal cancer screening has been demonstrated in a large 
prospective clinical study with approximately 8,000 study 
participants with average disease risk aged 50 years and older in 
Germany and the U.S.A. This PRESEPT study is one of the largest 
privately sponsored studies in colorectal cancer screening ever 
conducted.
"The Septin9 test was developed for the blood-based early detection 
of invasive colorectal carcinoma", Dr. Plum explained. "We have 
demonstrated the utility of the test for this application in the 
PRESEPT Study and in numerous previous case control studies. Our 
research now aims at further improving the blood test to even better 
find the particularly hard to detect early stage cancers and ideally 
also benign precursor lesions. We are excited that a clinical study 
found the attention of the jury, which was the starting point for a 
joint research project by Prof. Matthias Ebert of the Klinikum rechts
der Isar in Munich, the Association of Statutory Health Insurance 
Physicians in Bavaria (KVB), and Epigenomics that is aimed at 
addressing these questions."
The Felix Burda Award is awarded in five categories: Medical 
Prevention, Public Prevention, Journalism for Prevention, Prevention 
at Work and Stars for Prevention.
Among the nominated projects in the category Medical Prevention was a
study by Prof. Matthias Ebert and Marc Tänzer of the II. Medical 
Clinic, Klinikum rechts der Isar titled "Epigenetic Screening for 
Colorectal Adenomas - Results of a Study for the Validation of two 
Methylation Markers". This study together with Epigenomics' previous 
research is the starting point for the EpiTEK project, which started 
in July 2009 and will be sponsored for several years by the German 
Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Within EpiTEK, scientists
of Prof. Ebert's group, the Association of Statutory Health Insurance
Physicians in Bavaria (KVB) and scientists from Epigenomics AG work 
together in an innovative research alliance of academic science, 
healthcare providers and industry to further develop the Septin9 
blood test with a focus on the detection of benign precursor lesions 
of the colorectal carcinoma, so called adenomas. In their statement 
on the nomination the jury of the Felix Burda Award pointed to the 
seminal character of this research approach with regard to the 
significant increase of participation in colorectal cancer screening 
and further highlighted the project's landmark character.
"From a scientific and clinical point of view this project reflects a
novel approach to colorectal cancer prevention as it focuses for the 
first time on the non invasive screening for precursor lesions of the
cancer", stated Prof. Ebert. "The nomination for the Felix Burda 
Award 2010 is a special honor for our previous, jointly performed 
studies. It is also a mandate to continue pursuing this concept 
within the EpiTEK study."
The Septin9 test
The Septin9 test was developed by Epigenomics as a blood test for the
early detection of colorectal cancer. The test relies on the 
detection of methylated DNA of the Septin9 gene (mSEPT9) in blood 
plasma. It is the first of its kind worldwide. Under the brand name 
Epi proColon Epigenomics markets a CE-marked, in-vitro-diagnostic 
real time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) test kit for the 
qualitative detection of mSEPT9 in bisulfite converted DNA isolated 
from human plasma samples. Presence of mSEPT9 is associated with, and
may aid in, the detection of invasive colorectal adenocarcinoma. For 
further information and availability of the Septin9 test please go 
to: www.septin9test.de.
The EpiTEK project
Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, 
EpiTEK is a clinical research project for the early detection of 
colorectal cancer, realized in an alliance of Scientists from the 2nd
Medical Clinic of the University Hospital rechts der Isar at the 
Munich Technical University, the Association of Statutory Health 
Insurance Physicians in Bavaria (KVB) and Epigenomics AG, a molecular
diagnostics company based in Berlin, Germany, and Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
The project aims at the further developing Epigenomics' already 
available blood test for the detection of invasive colorectal cancer 
to detect already pre-malignant precursor lesions of the disease, so 
called adenomas and polyps. Compared to the currently recommended 
colonoscopy for the detection of polyps and tumors of the colon such 
an approach would be more convenient for individuals undergoing 
colorectal cancer screening. A non-invasive "polyp test" could thus 
complement currently available conventional prevention strategies 
including colonoscopy and thereby might significantly contribute to 
reducing mortality from colorectal cancer. For further information on
the EpiTEK study please go to: www.myepitek.de.
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.
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.
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

Plus de actualités: Epigenomics AG
Plus de actualités: Epigenomics AG