Epigenomics and Predictive Biosciences Extend Licensing Deal for Prostate Cancer Test
17 November 2010 - 2:18AM
Business Wire
Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt Prime Standard: ECX), the cancer
diagnostics company, and Predictive Biosciences, a commercial
stage, fully-integrated developer of novel molecular diagnostic
cancer assays and a provider of anatomic pathology laboratory
products and services, today announced that they have extended
their licensing agreement for the prostate cancer biomarker GSTP1,
originally signed in April 2009. Under the terms of the original
agreement, Predictive Biosciences had obtained rights to develop a
prostate cancer test incorporating this well known DNA methylation
biomarker and an option to license GSTP1 for commercialization of
this test as a laboratory service in the United States. Based on
strong continued progress in developing the test, Predictive
Biosciences has now executed this option, triggering an undisclosed
one-time license fee to Epigenomics. Epigenomics will also be
entitled to royalties on future sales generated with Predictive
Biosciences’ prostate cancer test, which is still in
development.
“Prostate cancer diagnosis suffers from poor specificity of PSA
screening,” said Geert Nygaard, CEO of Epigenomics. “We are
therefore delighted that Predictive Biosciences will be using our
biomarker to develop a test to improve the diagnostic follow-up of
patients with high PSA.”
“We have been very impressed with the quality of methylated
GSTP1 as a biomarker for prostate cancer,” said Peter Klemm, Ph.D.,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Predictive Biosciences.
“This biomarker will provide a valuable contribution to the
portfolio of tests we are commercializing in the field of urologic
oncology.”
Prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer and
the leading cause of cancer death in men in the U.S., with more
than 230,000 cases diagnosed annually and more than 1 million
prostate biopsies performed each year. The methylation of the GSTP1
gene is well established as a biomarker of prostate cancer and a
test that detects methylated GSTP1 DNA in urine or tissue, in
combination with conventional histopathology, may enable a more
accurate diagnosis.
About Epigenomics
Epigenomics AG is a molecular diagnostics company with a focus
on the development of novel products for cancer. Using DNA
methylation biomarkers, Epigenomics’ tests on the market and in
development for colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer aim at aiding
in an earlier and more accurate diagnosis of these diseases,
thereby potentially increasing the patient’s chances of
survival.
For development and global commercialization of IVD test
products, Epigenomics pursues a dual business strategy in which
direct commercialization of proprietary diagnostic test products is
combined with non-exclusive licensing to diagnostic industry
players with broad customer access. Strategic diagnostics industry
partners include Abbott Molecular, Sysmex Corporation, Quest
Diagnostics Incorporated, ARUP Laboratories, Inc., and Warnex
Laboratories, Inc. for diagnostics test products and services, and
QIAGEN N.V. for sample preparation solutions and research
products.
The company is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, and has a
wholly owned subsidiary, Epigenomics Inc., in Seattle, WA, USA. For
more information, please visit Epigenomics’ website at
www.epigenomics.com.
About Predictive Biosciences
Predictive Biosciences is a fully‐integrated developer of novel
molecular diagnostic cancer assays and an urology‐focused provider
of anatomic pathology laboratory products and services. Leveraging
a portfolio of patented biomarkers and clinical approaches, the
company is building a unique portfolio of assays for cancer
management, first targeted at bladder and prostate cancer.
Predictive Biosciences’ commercial division, OncoDiagnostic
Laboratory (ODL), is a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act
(CLIA)‐certified anatomic pathology and molecular diagnostics lab
with a national sales force serving urologists and other
subspecialty physicians. For additional information, please visit
www.predictivebiosci.com.
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 by Epigenomics in
the USA have not been established.
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