EANS-News: Epigenomics AG
Epigenomics welcomes reimbursement of the Septin9
blood based colorectal cancer test by Swiss Life in France
05.07.2012 – 08:02
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marketing/molecular diagnostics Berlin, Germany, and Seattle, WA, U.S.A. (euro adhoc) - Press release Epigenomics welcomes reimbursement of the Septin9 blood based colorectal cancer test by Swiss Life in France Berlin, Germany, and Seattle, WA, U.S.A., July 05, 2012 - Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt Prime Standard: ECX), the German-American cancer molecular diagnostics company, announced today that Swiss Life, France's third largest private health insurance company, with nearly two million policyholders, will provide the Septin9 blood based test for the early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) as part of a preventive health program. As the first French insurance company to provide the Septin9 test, Swiss Life is offering up to 50% reimbursement of this test at a cost of E 95. French Social Security does not currently cover the Septin9 test. With this decision, Swiss Life France is demonstrating its strong commitment to the improved prevention of CRC for its policyholders. Furthermore, the decision underpins its pioneering approach to disease prevention. Since 2005, Swiss Life has offered its policyholders an optional preventive health package, approved by a committee of medical experts, which is integrated into Swiss Life's health insurance contracts. Colorectal cancer remains the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in France. The disease is curable when detected at the early, localized stage. Crucially, survival rates decrease rapidly once the tumor has spread to vital organs and patients start showing symptoms. Geert Nygaard, CEO of Epigenomics, said: "We are extremely pleased about the positive reimbursement decision and endorsement of the Septin9 blood based test for CRC detection by Swiss Life France. Our version of the test, Epi proColon® 2.0 CE, has recently become commercially available in France and we look forward to working with healthcare pioneers like Swiss Life to increase compliance to CRC screening in order to improve health outcomes. Furthermore, today's decision clearly confirms our recently implemented commercialization approach in Europe under which we are working closely with key players in the healthcare system". "Swiss Life has always paid close attention to medical innovations. This commitment allows us to offer our policyholders access to effective prevention for continuing wellbeing. With 17,000 deaths annually in France and 17 million people eligible to be screened, colorectal cancer is a major public health issue for which Swiss Life has agreed reimbursement of this innovative test," commented Pierre François, CEO of Swiss Life Prévoyance et Santé in France. Epi proColon® 2.0 CE is the world's first CE-marked molecular diagnostic test for the early detection of colorectal cancer in blood. The test uses Epigenomics' proprietary colorectal cancer biomarker Septin9 in blood plasma and has recently become commercially available in France. - Ends - Contact Epigenomics AG Antje Zeise Manager IR | PR Epigenomics AG Tel +49 (0) 30 24345 368 ir@epigenomics.com www.epigenomics.com About Epigenomics Epigenomics (www.epigenomics.com) is a molecular diagnostics company developing and commercializing a pipeline of proprietary products for cancer. The Company's products enable doctors to diagnose cancer earlier and more accurately, leading to improved outcomes for patients. Epigenomics' lead product, Epi proColon®, is a blood-based test for the early detection of colorectal cancer, which is currently marketed in Europe and is in development for the U.S.A. The Company's technology and products have been validated through multiple partnerships with leading global diagnostic companies including Abbott, QIAGEN, Sysmex, and Quest Diagnostics. Epigenomics is an international company with operations in Europe and the U.S.A. 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. 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 by Epigenomics in the United States or Canada. The analytical and clinical performance characteristics of any Epigenomics product based on this technology which may be sold at some future time in the U.S. have not been established. Further inquiry note: Antje Zeise | CIRO Manager IR/PR Epigenomics AG Tel: +49 30 24345 386 end of announcement euro adhoc -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- company: Epigenomics AG Kleine Präsidentenstraße 1 D-10178 Berlin phone: +49 30 24345-0 FAX: +49 30 24345-555 mail: ir@epigenomics.com WWW: http://www.epigenomics.com sector: Biotechnology ISIN: DE000A1K0516 indexes: Prime All Share, Technology All Share stockmarkets: free trade: Berlin, München, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt language: English