The American Association for Cancer Research points out the potential for blood-based diagnostics using Exiqon's miRCURY LNA™ Universal RT microRNA PCR screening tool for biomarker detection

Exiqon A/S, traded at NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen (“EXQ”), today presented data
achieved using Exiqon's miRCURY LNA™ Universal RT microRNA PCR screening
platform for biomarker detection at the American Association for Cancer
Research meeting on “Molecular Diagnostics in Cancer Therapeutic Development”.
In a subsequent press release, the American Association for Cancer Research
points out the following main conclusions from Exiqon's presentation: 

• Robust, sensitive, and stable profiling of microRNAs from blood samples
(plasma) is feasible using Exiqon's LNA™-enhanced PCR technology platform, the
miRCURY LNA™ Universal RT microRNA PCR system 

• microRNA profiles of plasma constitute potential biomarkers for early
detection of colorectal cancer 

• microRNAs are stable in blood plasma prepared under standard hospital
protocols. 

The AACR release quotes Exiqon's presenter, Dr. Søren Jensby Nielsen,
scientific manager, Diagnostic Product Development: 

“[…] Nielsen's team developed a state of the art screening method based on the
miRCURY LNA™ Universal RT microRNA PCR. With it, they profiled blood plasma
samples collected from patients with early, resectable (Stage II) colorectal
cancer and sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers. 

The findings suggest that it is possible to distinguish early-stage colorectal
cancer from healthy subjects with good sensitivity and specificity from a
single plasma sample — less than 1 mL of blood. They are starting a large,
prospective clinical trial in symptomatic individuals undergoing colonoscopy to
prospectively validate their screening test. 

Although Nielsen's team focused on colorectal cancer screening, their results
indicate the technology has broader applicability […].” 

Follow this link to read the full press release from AACR:
http://www.aacr.org/home/public--media/aacr-press-releases.aspx 

Mr. Nielsen's presentation provided an update on the technical performance and
validation of Exiqon's new qPCR platform, the miRCURY LNA™ Universal RT
microRNA PCR system, which the company launched in October 2009. 

The miRCURY LNA™ Universal RT microRNA PCR system combines all the advantages
of LNA™ technology with a Universal reverse transcription (RT) step, resulting
in the most sensitive microRNA expression profiling system currently available.
The use of two LNA™-enhanced PCR primers results in both exceptional
sensitivity and specificity, enabling accurate quantitation of very low
microRNA levels, and discrimination between closely related microRNA sequences.
The universal RT step greatly reduces sample input requirements and technical
variation, and most importantly saves time in the laboratory. 

The microRNA qPCR product line includes Ready-to-Use qPCR panels, combining
performance and ease of use for exceptionally sensitive expression profiling of
human, mouse and rat microRNAs. All of the more than 1000 validated primer sets
are also available as individual microRNA assays. 

Additional information: 
Lars Kongsbak, President and CEO, tel. +45 4566 0888 (cell: +45 4090 2101)
Adam Baker, Director of Diagnostics, tel. +45 4566 0986 (cell: +45 4090 2153)
Henrik M. Pfundheller, VP Sales & Marketing, tel. +45 4565 0420 (cell: +45 4090
2106) 

See the full press release in the attached PDF.