EANS-News: Epigenomics AG announces non-exclusive licensing agreement for Septin9 with Companion Dx Reference Lab
19.06.2012 – 09:02
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.com www.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 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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