EANS-News: Epigenomics AG: Full Year Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2011
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annual result/Company Information/molecular diagnostics
Subtitle: * Development of second generation product completed, PMA filing
process initiated in the US
* Over 26,000 Septin9 laboratory-developed tests sold by North American partners
in 2011
* Tight fiscal control after implemented restructuring in 2011
Berlin, Germany, and Seattle, WA, U.S.A., March 23, 2012 (euro adhoc) -
Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt Prime Standard: ECX), the German-American cancer
molecular diagnostics company, today announced its full year results for the
year ended 31 December 2011 and provided an outlook for 2012.
Geert Nygaard, Chief Executive Officer of Epigenomics commented: "2011 has been
a challenging year for Epigenomics, but also a year where we have made
significant progress in becoming a commercially-oriented, product-driven growth
company. We are pleased to report the start of the regulatory process for our
key product, EpiproColon® in the US, with two of the four PMA modules submitted
to the FDA. The protocol for our Septin9 comparison study against FIT is in
place and we are eager to get it underway so that we can file our final PMA
module before year end. It remains the company's ultimate goal to introduce our
test to the largest commercial market for molecular diagnostic products. We are
encouraged to see that there is a growing market for our test in the U.S. with
more than 26,000 Septin9 tests being performed in 2011 by our license partners."
2011 Financial Results
* Revenue of EUR 1.4 million (2010: EUR 1.8 million) generated from product
sales of EpiproColon® kits, royalty payments, licensing income and partnering
activities; decrease in revenues compared to 2010 is mainly due to lower
collaborative income;
* EpiproColon® European product sales were up by 38% compared to 2010;
* Net loss widened by 36% to EUR -15.6 million (2010: EUR -11.5 million), mainly
driven by one-time charges in connection with implemented restructuring measures
and goodwill amortization;
* EUR -5.5 million of the net loss was attributable to the restructuring
measures and to the amortization of the goodwill, EUR -4.6 million were non-cash
effective costs;
* Cash consumption increased to EUR -12.2 million compared to EUR -10.3 million
in 2010, mostly by one-time effects attributable to the restructuring;
* Cash and cash equivalents at year end 2011 were EUR 14.0 million (2010: EUR
24.6 million);
Outlook for 2012
* 2012 financial guidance: EBIT and net loss for 2012 to be at significantly
lower levels than in 2011, in the range of EUR -9.5 and -11.0 million;
* Cash consumption in 2012 expected to be in the range of EUR -9.5 to -11.0
million;
* Epigenomics will diligently explore all viable strategic options, including
the option of securing additional financial resources on the capital markets
Operational Highlights in 2011 and 2012 YTD
Development completion and roll out of Epi proColon® 2.0 test: Epigenomics
completed the development of its second generation blood-based Epi proColon 2.0®
test, the first world-wide patient-friendly blood test for the early detection
of colorectal cancer.
The Company performed a clinical validation study of Epi proColon® 2.0 CE in
Europe and presented positive results at the United European Gastroenterology
Week Meeting in Stockholm in October 2011. The test accurately identified 81% of
the cancer cases at 99% specificity. Based on the very positive clinical
results, Epigenomics subsequently launched the product in Europe. Results from a
separate study in 184 study participants, which was conducted in collaboration
with Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary, highlighted that the Septin9
biomarker detects colon cancer equally in both sides of the colon, which is a
competitive advantage to presently used screening tests.
Epi proColon® pivotal clinical validation study: Epigenomics conducted a
prospectively designed clinical validation study in the U.S. The results
announced in December confirmed the results in a previously conducted academic
study in a true screening population by showing 68% sensitivity at 80%
specificity. Following discussions with the FDA, it has been confirmed that data
from the U.S. clinical validation study could be assessed as part of a Modular
Premarket Approval (PMA) review process. The first two PMA modules have already
been submitted to the FDA, with the third and fourth modules to be submitted in
the second quarter and second half of 2012 respectively. The FDA has furthermore
requested Epigenomics to perform a head-to-head comparative study for colorectal
cancer detection through comparison with fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) for
the purpose of demonstrating non-inferiority of Epi proColon® to FIT. This study
will become an integral part of the PMA submission. After consultation with the
FDA, we have meanwhile agreed on the protocol for the study. Site identification
and recruitment is currently ongoing with the aim of evaluating 100 cancer cases
(post colonoscopy) and 200 asymptomatic average risk individuals
(pre-colonoscopy). We will work diligently to complete this study and file the
clinical, and last, module of our PMA filing still in 2012.
Pre-marketing activities in the U.S.: Although reimbursement levels are still to
be determined, Septin9 was included in the new AMA coding document (CPT code
81401), which will be introduced in 2013. Epigenomics is also undertaking steps
to increase awareness of the test among KOLs and the patient population. During
the period Epigenomics and its partners announced the results of several surveys
in the U.S. and Europe showing that the vast majority of patients would prefer
blood tests over conventional methods for colorectal cancer screening.
Partnering activities: Overall in 2011, Epigenomics' LDT partners sold over
26,000 tests in North America. Quest, ARUP laboratories and Warnex in Canada
(now part of Labcorp), continue to make their laboratory-developed Septin9 tests
(LDT) available in North America. In 2011, Quest received approval of their test
version, ColoVantageTM, by the New York State's Department of Health and
demonstrated encouraging sales volume growth since it started actively promoting
the test across the U.S. ARUP presented the results of their clinical validation
study at the Association of Molecular Pathology Meeting in November 2011. ARUP's
Septin9 LDT assay detected 90% of the colorectal cancer cases at 88%
specificity. In February 2011, QIAGEN signed a two-year option agreement to
develop and commercialize a colorectal cancer blood test based on the Septin9
biomarker and certain DNA methylation analysis technologies. Abbott is also
continuing their development efforts towards US regulatory submission of its own
IVD Septin9 product based on a license from Epigenomics.
European marketing activities: The company's revised European marketing
activities of targeting key European accounts is on-going. The test is now
available through selected laboratories in Germany at a price of EUR 99 to the
customer.
Epi proLung® developments: The company's second test, Epi proLung®, has recently
shown very encouraging results in a clinical study in patients suspected of
having lung carcinoma. Based on these results, Charité University Hospital in
Berlin, Germany, has announced that the assay will be introduced into its
clinical practice as a routine aid in the diagnosis of lung cancer.
Corporate restructuring: In the summer of 2011, Epigenomics implemented
restructuring measures to effectively control expenses in 2012 and beyond. The
number of employees has decreased from 85 in mid-2011 to currently 45. R&D
efforts are being focused on existing and near-term product opportunities, with
longer term projects being put on hold for the time being.
Management changes: In 2011 Epigenomics added two experienced industry players
to its management team. Dr. Thomas Taapken was appointed as Epigenomics' new
CFO. He joined from publicly listed Biotie Therapies, Turku, Finland. Mr. Noel
Doheny was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Epigenomics' U.S. subsidiary.
He has 30+ years of experience in the field of diagnostics, with over 20 years
in senior management of companies including Affymetrix and QIAGEN.
-Ends-
Conference calls for press and analysts
The Annual Report 2011, which was released today, can be obtained from
Epigenomics' website at:
http://www.epigenomics.com/en/news-investors/investors/financial-reports.html.
Epigenomics will host an annual press conference in Frankfurt Main, Germany in
German language at 11 am CET today. The company will also be hosting a
conference call and audio webcast on the same day for analysts at 3pm CET today.
Details of both events will be available on Epigenomics' website at
http://www.epigenomics.com/en/news-investors.html.
Contact Epigenomics AG
Antje Zeise
Manager IR | PR
Epigenomics AG
Tel +49 (0) 30 24345 386
ir@epigenomics.comwww.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 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 U.S.A. have not
been established.
Further inquiry note:
Antje Zeise | CIRO
Manager IR/PR
Epigenomics AG
Tel: +49 30 24345 386
antje.zeise@epigenomics.com
end of announcement euro adhoc
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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