OpGen Subsidiary Ares Genetics Announces Strategic Database Access Transaction
01 December 2021 - 12:45AM
OpGen, Inc. (Nasdaq: OPGN, “OpGen”), a precision medicine company
harnessing the power of molecular diagnostics and informatics to
help combat infectious disease, today announced that its subsidiary
Ares Genetics, which strives to become a leader in bacterial
genomics and the AI-powered prediction of antimicrobial resistance
(AMR), entered into a strategic database access transaction with an
unnamed global corporation and leader in microbiology and
infectious disease diagnostics. Under the terms of the agreement,
the unnamed IVD corporation gains immediate, permanent,
unrestricted and non-exclusive access to a small subset
constituting approximately 1.1% of the total current database
content of Ares Genetics’ proprietary ARESdb.
ARESdb is a unique, rapidly growing,
continuously curated AMR knowledgebase harboring a comprehensive
collection of genetic markers for AMR as well as datasets from over
70,000 bacterial isolates. Each of these datasets is comprised of
genome sequencing data and data on phenotypic resistance generated
via antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST). Known for its AI and
machine learning capabilities, Ares Genetics explores such
genotype-phenotype associations for AMR marker discovery as well as
to develop and validate models to predict antibiograms directly
from genomic data.
Controlling the rise and spread of AMR pathogen
outbreaks, which have emerged as a major threat to public health,
requires new diagnostics for AMR for infection prevention and
informed selection of appropriate first- and second-line treatment
options.
Under the terms of the agreement, Ares Genetics
grants the global IVD corporation access to an ARESdb subset of
associated genotype and AMR phenotype data for a narrowly defined
and non-disclosed group of pathogens implicated in a widespread
type of infections resistant to treatment. For the subset,
corresponding to ~1.1% of total ARESdb content, the unnamed IVD
corporation pays Ares Genetics an undisclosed one-time data
generation, data transfer and data access fee.
“We are delighted to join forces with such a
global leader in microbiology and in vitro diagnostics in the fight
against AMR,” says Dr. Arne Materna, CEO of Ares Genetics. “While
leading health organizations are readily acknowledging the
paramount importance of pathogen genome sequencing for effective
infection prevention and control, the pervasive adoption of
clinical infectious disease genomics is still ahead of us.
Strategic alliances between industry leaders at the forefront of
infectious disease IVD development, data science, as well as AMR
etiology are needed to accelerate the translation of genome
technologies into diagnostic solutions to make a difference for
patients worldwide.”
Oliver Schacht, CEO of OpGen added, “In just a
couple of quarters Arne Materna has transformed Ares Genetics from
a research stage technology business into a commercially driven
part of OpGen. This transaction is yet another example of the
growing commercial traction and adds this global leader to the list
of collaborations and deals that Ares has with Sandoz, QIAGEN and
others. Looking at the value proposition it is clear that the
implied value of ARESdb is far greater than the intangible asset
value carried on our balance sheet for Ares Genetics and this may
help crystallize the promise of future value creation that we
expect to deliver to be communicated and appreciated in the eyes of
the markets.”
More information on ARESdb and AREScloud is
available on the company's website or can be requested from
services@ares-genetics.com.
About OpGen, Inc.
OpGen, Inc. (Rockville, MD, USA) is a precision
medicine company harnessing the power of molecular diagnostics and
bioinformatics to help combat infectious disease. Along with our
subsidiaries, Curetis GmbH and Ares Genetics GmbH, we are
developing and commercializing molecular microbiology solutions
helping to guide clinicians with more rapid and actionable
information about life threatening infections to improve patient
outcomes, and decrease the spread of infections caused by
multidrug-resistant microorganisms, or MDROs. OpGen’s product
portfolio includes Unyvero, Acuitas AMR Gene Panel and Acuitas®
Lighthouse, and the ARES Technology Platform including ARESdb,
using NGS technology and AI-powered bioinformatics solutions for
antibiotic response prediction.
For more information, please visit
www.opgen.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes statements regarding
a transaction under which Ares Genetics is granting access to a
subset of the proprietary ARESdb data asset. These statements and
other statements regarding OpGen’s future plans and goals
constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are intended to qualify for the
safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to risks
and uncertainties that are often difficult to predict, are beyond
our control, and which may cause results to differ materially from
expectations. Factors that could cause our results to differ
materially from those described include, but are not limited to,
our ability to successfully, timely and cost-effectively develop,
seek and obtain regulatory clearance for and commercialize our
product and services offerings, the rate of adoption of our
products and services by hospitals and other healthcare providers,
the fact that we may not effectively use proceeds from our
financings, the realization of expected benefits of our business
combination transaction with Curetis GmbH, the success of our
commercialization efforts, the impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s
operations, financial results, and commercialization efforts as
well as on capital markets and general economic conditions, the
effect on our business of existing and new regulatory requirements,
and other economic and competitive factors. For a discussion of the
most significant risks and uncertainties associated with OpGen's
business, please review our filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance
on these forward-looking statements, which are based on our
expectations as of the date of this press release and speak only as
of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to
publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as
a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as
required by laws.
Contact:
OpGen:Oliver SchachtPresident and
CEOInvestorRelations@opgen.com
OpGen Press Contact:Matthew
Bretzius FischTank Marketing and PR
matt@fischtankpr.com
OpGen Investor Contact:Maxwell
ColbertEdison Groupmcolbert@edisongroup.com
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