BERLIN and SEATTLE, Jan. 4, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt:ECX) (Prime Standard:ECX), a molecular diagnostics company developing tests based on DNA methylation, announced today the addition of Dr. Michael Wandell as Senior Vice President for Clinical, Regulatory and Quality, and James Douglas as Vice President Marketing and Sales to its senior management team. These appointments position the company to fully realize its own tissue-based molecular pathology product development. For the foreseeable future, the company considers the building of a senior management team for an integrated product company complete. Both Dr. Wandell and Mr. Douglas will be based in Seattle. Epigenomics also sees these additions as a clear statement to leverage its Seattle base to deliver its products to the U.S. market, though it will continue to base the main part of its research and development organization in Berlin and eventually market its products worldwide.
Dr. Wandell has twenty-five years of leadership experience in biotechnology companies including Director Business Development and Regulatory Affairs with Genetic Systems Corporation, Chief Scientific Officer at Home Access Health Corporation and Vice President Clinical and Regulatory Affairs with LipoSonix, Inc. He has led the development and FDA approval of several biological and class III medical device products, including a hepatitis C virus assay and several HIV screening, diagnosis and referral products.
Mr. Douglas spent eighteen years in strategic marketing and sales positions in biotechnology companies including Gen-Probe, Inc., Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur, Centocor Inc., Abbott Diagnostics and Biosite, Inc. He served as senior marketing executive at Gen-Probe and Biosite where he developed numerous strategic and tactical marketing programs culminating in successful launches of novel biotech products.
"It is not a coincidence that the addition of Michael and James to our senior management team coincides with Roche's decision to discontinue the collaborative development of prostate cancer molecular classification test. Epigenomics' proprietary PITX2 marker is one of the best prognostic cancer markers discovered to date, and our ability to incorporate this marker into our own product pipeline also for a prostate cancer molecular classification test saves us approximately two years of development," stated Alexander Olek, CEO of Epigenomics.
"PITX2 has obviously become the lead methylation marker for Epigenomics' continued development of its own product pipeline. In studies of both breast and prostate cancer, methylation of PITX2 has demonstrated the ability to discriminate between those with a good or bad prognosis, potentially providing improved patient management. This gives us confidence that we can develop products for a number of disease states based upon PITX2 methylation technology. Based on these findings we now believe Epigenomics can bring to market its first product from this pipeline as early as 2007," said Michael Wandell.
About Epigenomics
Epigenomics is a molecular diagnostic company with a focus on the development of novel products for cancer. By detecting and interpreting DNA methylation patterns, Epigenomics' tests can potentially diagnose disease at an early stage and help guide physicians to select an appropriate therapy. Epigenomics collaborates with Roche Diagnostics on the development of several diagnostic products in cancer. The company has its headquarters in Berlin, Germany, and a wholly owned subsidiary in Seattle, USA. For more information, please visit our website at www.epigenomics.com.
Disclaimer
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