EANS-News: Epigenomics AG Receives Allowance for Key Technology Patent in Japan

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Subtitle: Patent broadly covers HeavyMethyl, a core technology of Epigenomics’
molecular diagnostic products

Press release, Berlin, Germany, and Seattle, WA, USA, March 11, 2010 (euro
adhoc) - Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt Prime Standard: ECX), a cancer molecular
diagnostics company, today announced that it received a Notice of Allowance by
the Japanese Patent Office stating that they intend to grant a patent for
Epigenomics´ HeavyMethyl technology. This notification is equivalent to a "Rule
71(3) notification" by the European Patent Office. Patent application
2002-571930 titled "Highly sensitive method for the detection of cytosine
methylation patterns.", claims very broadly a method for the detection of DNA
methylation by means of amplification that employs blockers to prevent the
amplification of background DNA while not affecting the amplification of target
DNA. The patent is already granted in the US, Europe, China, Russia, Australia,
South Korea, and New Zealand.

The HeavyMethyl technology allows the specific and highly sensitive detection
of methylated DNA in large background of unmethylated DNA using real-time PCR,
the current industry technology standard in molecular diagnostics. The
technology is currently used in Epigenomics´ own in vitro diagnostic products
for the early detection and diagnosis of cancer as well as in products of
Epigenomics´ biomarker and technology licensees.

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.

Further inquiry note:
Epigenomics AG
Dr. Achim Plum
Sen. VP Corporate Development
Tel: +49 30 24345 368
achim.plum@epigenomics.com
end of announcement euro adhoc
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issuer: Epigenomics AG
Kleine Präsidentenstraße 1
D-10178 Berlin
phone: +49 30 24345-0
FAX: +49 30 24345-555
mail: ir@epigenomics.com
WWW: www.epigenomics.com
sector: Biotechnology
ISIN: DE000A0BVT96, DE000A0XFWF2
indexes: Prime All Share, Technology All Share
stockmarkets: regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt, free trade: Berlin,
Hamburg, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, München
language: English

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