BERLIN and SEATTLE, May 9, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt:ECX), a cancer molecular diagnostics company developing products based on DNA methylation, has entered into an R&D collaboration with Myriad Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:MYGN) to identify and analyze DNA methylation biomarkers that may predict patients' response to an undisclosed marketed oncology drug.
Under the agreement, Epigenomics will use its proprietary Differential Methylation Hybridization (DMH) microarray platform to perform genome-wide DNA methylation profiling on samples provided by Myriad and compare these profiles to identify DNA methylation biomarkers associated with sensitivity and resistance to the drug.
Epigenomics will also apply its OncoSign(TM) approach that is offered in collaboration with its partner CellTrend GmbH (Luckenwalde, Germany) for fast track identification of DNA methylation biomarkers for the drug in an established panel of human tumor cell lines. Financial details were not disclosed.
"We are excited to bring our DMH technology for the discovery of predictive biomarkers to Myriad Genetics, a company well known for its expertise in genetic marker tests," noted Christina Dahlstroem, Ph.D., Epigenomics' Senior Vice President Clinical Solutions. "This collaboration highlights the importance of DNA methylation profiling in the search for biomarkers that will improve therapeutic choices in oncology."
About DNA Methylation
Methylation is a natural epigenetic process that occurs when a methyl group binds to one of DNA's four bases, cytosine. Methylation exerts control over the activity of genes by turning them off when not needed. Measuring the differences in the methylation patterns between healthy and diseased tissue can be used to detect a change in gene activity that could trigger diseases such as cancer. Similarly, DNA methylation patterns can be used to predict a patient's response to a drug. Epigenomics has developed an industrial process that is able to read and interpret these methylation patterns and uses them as biomarkers for developing molecular diagnostic and pharmacodiagnostic tests.
About DMH
Differential Methylation Hybridization (DMH) is the most recent addition to Epigenomics' proprietary DNA methylation technology portfolio. With Epigenomics' DMH microarrays more than 50,000 human genomic fragments can be profiled for their methylation status in a single experiment. DMH is robust and delivers highly reproducible results. This makes DMH a fast and cost-effective tool to discover novel DNA methylation biomarkers for diagnostic and pharmacodiagnostic applications.
About OncoSign(TM)
Epigenomics developed OncoSign(TM) - a proprietary approach to rapidly identify DNA methylation biomarker candidates for response prediction of oncology drugs and drug candidates. Drugs or drug candidates are profiled on a standard panel of human tumor cell lines from which genome-wide DNA methylation profiles have been obtained. This service is provided through Epigenomics' partner CellTrend GmbH (Luckenwalde, Germany). DNA methylation biomarker candidates can be rapidly identified by correlating drug sensitivities in these cell lines with their corresponding DNA methylation profiles. Epigenomics applied this approach to the identification of drug response prediction biomarker candidates for four different oncology drugs - an EGF receptor inhibitor, an Aurora kinase inhibitor, a microtubule inhibitor and a topoisomerase inhibitor.
About Epigenomics AG
Epigenomics is a molecular diagnostics company with a focus on the development of novel products for cancer. Using DNA methylation biomarkers, Epigenomics' tests can potentially diagnose disease at an early stage and help guide physicians to select an appropriate therapy. Epigenomics' defined business strategy covers two complementary core business areas:
In cooperation with industry partners, the company develops diagnostic screening tests for the early detection of cancer, mass-market products with huge potentials. Based on easily obtainable body fluid samples (e.g. blood and urine), these tests are aimed at finding cancer at an early stage before symptoms occur. Epigenomics' product pipeline contains an extensively validated biomarker panel for the early detection of colorectal cancer in blood plasma, and further proprietary DNA methylation biomarkers at various stages of development for prostate and lung cancer detection in body fluids. Epigenomics aims at giving patients and doctors early access to these biomarkers through reference laboratory testing services. For development and global commercialization as in vitro diagnostic test kits, Epigenomics pursues a non-exclusive partnering strategy with diagnostics industry players.
As a second core business area, Epigenomics develops specialty diagnostics for individuals at high risk for cancer and cancer patients. These tests include surveillance applications of our colorectal cancer biomarkers and a tissue-based prognostic cancer molecular classification test for prostate cancer patients. Our tissue-based prostate cancer application is developed in strategic partnerships with Qiagen (pre-analytics) and Affymetrix (diagnostic device platform). The biomarkers for cancer specialty diagnostic applications will be made available through testing services in centralized reference laboratories. Epigenomics retains the flexibility to decide on further commercialization as in vitro diagnostic test kits in Europe and eventually the US.
Pharma, diagnostics and biotech partners can access Epigenomics' portfolio of proprietary DNA methylation technologies and biomarkers protected by more than 200 patent families through Biomarker Services, IVD Development Collaborations, and Licensing. The company is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, and has a wholly owned subsidiary in Seattle, WA, USA. For more information, please visit Epigenomics' website at www.epigenomics.com.
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.