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Epigenomics AG Extends Collaboration with Roche Diagnostics on Cancer Screening Products

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Epigenomics AG, a molecular diagnostics company, has extended its collaboration with Roche Diagnostics on blood screening products for various cancers for 18 months until September 30, 2007. The initial collaboration, which began in December 2005, focused on a colorectal cancer screening test, and Roche Diagnostics has now decided to extend the partnership to also develop and validate tests for breast and prostate cancer. Under the extended collaboration, Epigenomics will take over tasks to validate sensitivity for all its improved blood screening tests, expanding existing marker panels, optimizing assays, and validating them in patient studies. The company will deliver results on marker panel performance studies and workflow adaptations for prostate cancer screening by October 15, 2006, and for breast cancer screening by March 30, 2007, after which Roche Diagnostics will decide on further continuation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Epigenomics AG has extended its collaboration with Roche Diagnostics on blood screening products for various cancers for 18 months until September 30, 2007.
  • The initial collaboration focused on a colorectal cancer screening test, and the extended partnership will also develop and validate tests for breast and prostate cancer.
  • Epigenomics will take over tasks to validate sensitivity for all its improved blood screening tests, expanding existing marker panels, optimizing assays, and validating them in patient studies.
  • The company will deliver results on marker panel performance studies and workflow adaptations for prostate cancer screening by October 15, 2006, and for breast cancer screening by March 30, 2007.
  • Roche Diagnostics will make a decision within 45 days after receiving the results to further continue the projects.
  • Epigenomics AG is a molecular diagnostics company developing tests based on DNA methylation.
  • The company's CEO, Alexander Olek, stated that the success of the colon cancer screening test has been rewarding, and the company gained significant knowledge that will be applied to other screening tests.
  • Roche has asked Epigenomics to intensify R&D on all screening tests under the joint program, and the company may consider further expansions in the future.

Statistics:

  • Epigenomics AG has extended its collaboration with Roche Diagnostics for 18 months until September 30, 2007.
  • The initial collaboration was established in December 2005.
  • Roche Diagnostics will make a decision within 45 days after receiving the results to further continue the projects.
  • Epigenomics will deliver results on marker panel performance studies and workflow adaptations for prostate cancer screening by October 15, 2006.
  • Epigenomics will deliver results on marker panel performance studies and workflow adaptations for breast cancer screening by March 30, 2007.

Sources:

  • World Disease Weekly editors, staff and other reports.
  • NewsRx.com, Copyright 2006.

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