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EANS-News: Epigenomics AG Licenses Biomarker for Colorectal Cancer Blood Test Screening to Canadian Warnex Medical Laboratories
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Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely
responsible for the content of this announcement.
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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.
Further inquiry note:
Epigenomics AG
Dr. Achim Plum
Sen. VP Corporate Development
Tel: +49 30 24345 368
[email protected]
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: [email protected]
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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