EANS-News: Warnex Launches Colorectal Cancer Blood Testing Service in Canada Using Epigenomics' Septin9 Biomarker
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Company Information/Molecular diagnostics
Berlin, Germany, and Laval, QC, Canada, December 6, 2010 (euro adhoc) - Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt Prime Standard: ECX), a cancer molecular diagnostics company and Warnex Medical Laboratories, a division of Warnex Inc. (TSX: WNX), today announced the launch of a molecular diagnostic blood testing service for colorectal cancer in Canada, based on Epigenomics' patented biomarker Septin9 and DNA methylation technologies. Warnex is the first laboratory to offer Septin9 testing in Canada, after obtaining the non-exclusive rights from Epigenomics in May 2010. Prior to its launch, Warnex's Septin9 test was independently developed and successfully validated using clinical blood samples from colorectal cancer patients and individuals with no apparent disease as verified by colonoscopy.
"Colorectal cancer is curable if caught early enough and blood tests like this may play an important role in saving lives. We are delighted that patients in Canada will now also be able to benefit from Septin9 testing, alongside patients in the United States, Europe and the Middle East," commented Geert Nygaard, Chief Executive Officer of Epigenomics.
"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 delivering the most advanced specialized diagnostic services to Canadian healthcare professionals," said Mark Busgang, President and CEO of Warnex. "The Septin9 test is a convenient and specific blood test for colorectal cancer detection that can easily be integrated into the patient's routine physical, as it is non-invasive and does not require any drug or dietary restrictions."
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in Canada. In 2009, an estimated 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.
Note to the editor
To view the brochure for Warnex's Septin9 Blood Test, please follow this link: http://www.warnex.ca/docs/Septin9.pdf
Contact Epigenomics AG
Dr. Achim Plum Sen. VP Corporate Development Epigenomics AG Tel +49 (0) 30 24345 368 pr@epigenomics.com www.epigenomics.com
Contact Warnex
Catherine Sartoros Communications Specialist Warnex Inc. +1 450-663-6724 x 277 csartoros@warnex.ca
About Epigenomics
Epigenomics AG 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 for colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer aim at aiding in an earlier and more accurate diagnosis of these diseases, thereby potentially increasing the patient's chances of survival.
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, ARUP Laboratories, Inc., and Warnex 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 www.epigenomics.com
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.
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 by Epigenomics in the United States of America 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 United States of America or Canada 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
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