Liege (Belgium) and Berlin (Germany) - January 14, 2008, 8:00 CET - OncoMethylome Sciences S.A. (Euronext Brussels: ONCOB, Euronext Amsterdam: ONCOA) and Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt, Prime Standard: ECX) today announced that they have entered into a broad technology licensing agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, OncoMethylome obtained worldwide non-exclusive rights to several of Epigenomics' proprietary core technologies such as its MethyLight portfolio for the sensitive and quantitative detection of DNA methylation for in vitro diagnostic product development and commercialization. Further, OncoMethylome obtained rights to HeavyMethyl® technology, plus certain microarray-based technologies for DNA methylation analysis. In return for the licenses, Epigenomics will receive an up-front payment and is eligible for royalties to be paid on any eventual commercial exploitation of the technologies by OncoMethylome and any of its partners who choose to sublicense such technology. Both companies continue to independently develop their own products and biomarker licenses have not been granted.
Further details and financial terms of the agreement have not been released.
"Through this strategic and broad technology licensing agreement with OncoMethylome, with the first diagnostics tests based on DNA methylation technology reaching the market in the near future, the companies took an important step towards establishing a unified industry standard for DNA methylation detection," explained Dr. Kurt Berlin, Chief Scientific Officer of Epigenomics.
"This deal enhances our wide portfolio of technologies in the methylation field and gives us the flexibility to develop the best products on a wider range of laboratory equipment," added Dr. Jim DiGuiseppi, Chief Technology Officer of OncoMethylome. "We expect this deal to accelerate the acceptance of methylation products in routine laboratory use."
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About OncoMethylome Sciences
OncoMethylome Sciences (Euronext Brussels: ONCOB; Euronext Amsterdam: ONCOA) is a molecular diagnostics company developing gene methylation tests to assist physicians in effectively detecting and treating cancer. Specifically, the company's tests are designed to help the physician (i) accurately detect cancer in early stages of cancer development, (ii) predict a patient's response to drug therapy, and (iii) predict the likelihood of cancer recurrence.
OncoMethylome boasts a broad product development pipeline consisting of ten products and a solid partnering record. The company collaborates with leading international molecular oncology research centers, such as The Johns Hopkins University, and has a number of commercial and collaborative partnerships with Veridex LLC, a Johnson & Johnson company, Schering-Plough Corp., GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Abbott, Millipore Corporation's BioScience Division, and EXACT Sciences Corp. OncoMethylome's products are based on methylation technology invented by Johns Hopkins University (USA).
Established in January 2003, OncoMethylome has offices in Liege and Leuven (Belgium), in Durham, NC (USA), and in Amsterdam (the Netherlands).
For more information please contact:
Lucija Turcinov
Tel. +32-479-801-902
or visit: www.oncomethylome.com
