EANS-News: Epigenomics AG Epigenomics welcomes reimbursement of the Septin9
blood based colorectal cancer test by Swiss Life in France
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Marketing/molecular diagnostics
Berlin, Germany, and Seattle, WA, U.S.A. (euro adhoc) - Press release
Epigenomics welcomes reimbursement of the Septin9 blood based colorectal cancer
test by Swiss Life in France
Berlin, Germany, and Seattle, WA, U.S.A., July 05, 2012 - Epigenomics AG
(Frankfurt Prime Standard: ECX), the German-American cancer molecular
diagnostics company, announced today that Swiss Life, France's third largest
private health insurance company, with nearly two million policyholders, will
provide the Septin9 blood based test for the early detection of colorectal
cancer (CRC) as part of a preventive health program. As the first French
insurance company to provide the Septin9 test, Swiss Life is offering up to 50%
reimbursement of this test at a cost of E 95. French Social Security does not
currently cover the Septin9 test. With this decision, Swiss Life France is
demonstrating its strong commitment to the improved prevention of CRC for its
policyholders. Furthermore, the decision underpins its pioneering approach to
disease prevention. Since 2005, Swiss Life has offered its policyholders an
optional preventive health package, approved by a committee of medical experts,
which is integrated into Swiss Life's health insurance contracts.
Colorectal cancer remains the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in
France. The disease is curable when detected at the early, localized stage.
Crucially, survival rates decrease rapidly once the tumor has spread to vital
organs and patients start showing symptoms.
Geert Nygaard, CEO of Epigenomics, said: "We are extremely pleased about the
positive reimbursement decision and endorsement of the Septin9 blood based test
for CRC detection by Swiss Life France. Our version of the test, Epi proColon®
2.0 CE, has recently become commercially available in France and we look forward
to working with healthcare pioneers like Swiss Life to increase compliance to
CRC screening in order to improve health outcomes. Furthermore, today's decision
clearly confirms our recently implemented commercialization approach in Europe
under which we are working closely with key players in the healthcare system".
"Swiss Life has always paid close attention to medical innovations. This
commitment allows us to offer our policyholders access to effective prevention
for continuing wellbeing. With 17,000 deaths annually in France and 17 million
people eligible to be screened, colorectal cancer is a major public health issue
for which Swiss Life has agreed reimbursement of this innovative test,"
commented Pierre François, CEO of Swiss Life Prévoyance et Santé in France.
Epi proColon® 2.0 CE is the world's first CE-marked molecular diagnostic test
for the early detection of colorectal cancer in blood. The test uses
Epigenomics' proprietary colorectal cancer biomarker Septin9 in blood plasma and
has recently become commercially available in France.
- 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.
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
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