EANS-News: Epigenomics AG announces non-exclusive licensing agreement for
Septin9 with Companion Dx Reference Lab
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Licensing Agreements/Company Information/molecular diagnostic
Berlin, Germany, and Seattle, WA, U.S.A., June 19, 2012 (euro adhoc) -
Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt Prime Standard: ECX), the German-American cancer
molecular diagnostics company, announced today that it signed a non-exclusive
licensing agreement for its proprietary DNA methylation biomarker Septin9 with
Companion Dx Reference Lab ("Companion Dx"), an emerging leader in
pharmacogenomic testing and cancer companion diagnostics. Under the terms of the
agreement, Companion Dx has obtained rights to establish and commercialize a
blood-based, laboratory-developed test (LDT) using methylated Septin9 as
biomarker for the detection of colorectal cancer. Epigenomics is entitled to
double digit royalties on sales.
"The addition of Septin9 to our offering of cancer related products will
allowusto more effectively serve theTexas cancertesting market. Colorectal
cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., and we
believe that thebloodbased method to detect colorectal cancer in the currently
non-compliantpatient population will improve participation in screening and
therefore save more lives in Texas", said Steve Blum, CEO of Companion Dx.
"Based on thegrowing uptake of the Septin9 assay through our LDT licensees, we
are excited to add regionally focused Companion Dxlab to thelist ofour
partnersaswe recognize their ability to reach incrementalsub-populations who
should be but are not currently screened according to guidelines", said Noel
Doheny, Chief Executive Officer of Epigenomics' US subsidiary. "Companion Dx
shares our objective of providing tests that will help physicians to improve the
health outcomes for patients through accurate detection of colorectal cancer and
to potentiallydecrease the risingcosts associated with colorectal cancer in the
U.S. With today's licensing agreement, we continue to execute on our
commercialization strategy, well ahead of the launch of a proprietary diagnostic
product approved by the FDA", explained Mr. Doheny.
The agreement with Companion Dx complements Epigenomics' LDT agreements with
Quest Diagnostics, ARUP Laboratories and Warnex Medical Laboratories in North
America. Furthermore, Abbott Molecular has worldwide, non-exclusive license to
develop and to commercialize IVD test kit products while Qiagen and Sysmex have
acquired options to do so.
- Ends -
Contact Epigenomics AG
Antje Zeise
Manager IR | PR
Epigenomics AG
Tel +49 (0) 30 24345 368
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.
About Companion Dx
Companion Dx Reference Lab, LLC is a molecular diagnostic reference laboratory
and innovative leader in personalized medicine enabling physicians to tailor
medications to their patients based on the individual genetic characteristics.
Companion Dx offers a comprehensive list of cutting-edge pharmacogenomic
(genetic drug sensitivity) assays and cancer companion diagnostics using
state-of-the-art technologies. The company is located in the Biotechnology
Commercialization Center at the University of Texas Health Science Center in the
Houston Texas Medical Center, the world's largest medical center. For more
information, please visit companiondxlab.com.
Epigenomics legal disclaimer
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 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
U.S. 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