EANS-News: Epigenomics' Lincensee ARUP to Present Clinical Data on Colorectal Cancer Blood Test at US Cancer Conference
Berlin and Seattle, October 18, 2010 (euro adhoc) -
Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Company Information/Molecular diagnostics
ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT, USA, a licensee of Epigenomics, will present clinical data validating ARUP's laboratory-developed test for the detection of methylated Septin9 DNA in blood plasma at the ASCO-NCI-EORTC 2010 Annual Meeting on Molecular Markers in Cancer that starts today in Hollywood, FL, USA.
Karen A. Heichman, PhD, Vice President Oncology Technology Development & Licensing at ARUP will present the poster entitled: "Use of the Septin9 methylated DNA biomarker to detect cancer in the blood of colorectal cancer patients" in a Poster Discussion Session on Tuesday, October 19, 2010.
ARUP licensed the Septin9 biomarker for the early detection of colorectal cancer in a simple blood draw from its discoverer Epigenomics AG, the Berlin and Seattle based cancer diagnostics company. ARUP launched a laboratory-developed test for the detection of this biomarker in blood plasma in July 2010.
Epigenomics will report on the clinical data presented by ARUP in a press release on Wednesday, October 20, 2010.
- Ends -
Notes to the Editor
Poster Presentation Details
Conference: ASCO-NCI-EORTC 2010 Annual Meeting on Molecular Markers in Cancer Venue: Westin Diplomat Hotel, Hollywood, FL, USA Abstract ID: 71 Abstract Title: Use of the Septin 9 methylated DNA biomarker to detect cancer in the blood of colorectal cancer patients. Presenter: Karen A. Heichman, PhD, VP Oncology Technology Development & Licensing Session: General Poster Session B Tuesday, October 19, 2010; 12:15 - 1:50 pm and 6:00 - 7:00 pm
About the Septin9 Biomarker and Colorectal Cancer Blood Tests
The Septin9 biomarker is at the core of the world's first in vitro diagnostic and laboratory-developed blood tests for the early detection of colorectal cancer commercialized by Epigenomics (Epi proColon), and its partners Abbott Molecular (mS9), Quest Diagnostics (ColoVantage?), and ARUP Laboratories (Methylated Septin9 Test) in Europe, Asia/Pacific, and the U.S. The tests all detect cell-free methylated DNA of the Septin9 gene shed into the blood stream by colorectal tumors. In numerous studies, Epigenomics and its partners have demonstrated that the detection of the Septin9 biomarker in blood plasma correlates with the presence of colorectal cancer and thus can be used as an aid in the detection of this common cancer. These studies include the successfully completed PRESEPT Study, a prospective evaluation of the Septin9 biomarker in a cohort of almost 8,000 individuals representative of a typical screening population.
Lack of patient adherence to screening recommendations is the biggest hurdle to an effective screening for colorectal cancer. Experts believe that a blood test that is more convenient for the patients than stool tests and colonoscopy could help to get more people screened than are currently and thus be of medical and health economic benefit.
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 detecting cancer before symptoms occur and thereby potentially reducing mortality from this 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 and commercialization 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, USA. For more information, please visit Epigenomics' website at HYPERLINK "http://www.epigenomics.com"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 by Epigenomics in the United States of America. The analytical and clinical performance characteristics of any product based on this technology which may be sold at some future time in the USA have not been established.
end of announcement euro adhoc
Further inquiry note:
Dr. Achim Plum
Sen. VP Corporate Development
Epigenomics AG
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