EANS-News: Epigenomics AG sponsored Felix Burda Award 2010

Company for the first time supported prestigious award for
achievement in colorectal cancer screening

Epigenomics' Septin9
blood test for colorectal cancer early detection available in Germany
since October 2009

Research study aimed at enhancing blood test to
detect precursor lesions nominated for the award

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Company Information/Molecular diagnostics

Subtitle: Company for the first time supported prestigious award for
achievement in colorectal cancer screening

Epigenomics' Septin9 blood test for colorectal cancer early detection
available in Germany since October 2009

Research study aimed at enhancing blood test to detect precursor
lesions nominated for the award

Berlin, Germany, and Seattle, WA, USA, April 19, 2010 (euro adhoc) -
Epigenomics AG a Berlin-based molecular diagnostics company that is
dedicated to the development and introduction of innovative methods
for the early detection and diagnosis of cancer, this year for the
first time supported the Felix Burda Award which was awarded on April
18, 2010 during a gala at the Hotel Adlon in Berlin. Since 2003 the
Felix Burda Foundation with this award honours the most successful,
innovative and outstanding projects and achievements in colorectal
cancer screening.

"Just like the Felix Burda Foundation we are convinced that an
improved and effectively implemented screening is the key to reducing
mortality from colorectal cancer", stated Dr. Achim Plum, Senior Vice
President Corporate Development at Epigenomics AG. "We have the
highest regard for the foundation's achievements since its
establishment and feel honoured that with our support of the Award
but also through our research and products for colorectal cancer
early detection we can make a contribution to alleviating people's
fears of this still far too often fatal disease."

In October 2009 Epigenomics AG introduced the world's first
regulatory cleared test for colorectal cancer early detection in a
simple blood draw in Europe. The so called Septin9 test sensitively
detects tumor DNA in blood, which is a reliable indicator for the
presence of a colorectal carcinoma. The test addresses individuals
who should get screened for colorectal cancer but shy away from
colonoscopy, the gold standard in colorectal cancer prevention, as a
first-line approach to screening and who do not want to perform
stool-based tests. The rejection of current methods leads to more
than 50% of the eligible population not participating in screening in
Germany. In particular for these people, the Septin9 test may provide
a convenient alternative to get screened.

Contrary to currently available stool tests, for which patients are
responsible themselves for the correct sampling, all the patient has
to do for the Septin9 test is to agree to a blood draw at the family
physician's office. No restrictions in diet or medications have to be
followed before the test is performed. Thus, the patient can
spontaneously decide to do the test at the family doctor's office. If
tested positive for Septin9 the patient will be recommended to
undergo a colonoscopy as a follow-up for definitive diagnosis. First
experience with the Septin9 test in clinical routine show, that those
patients who do test positive actually follow this recommendation.

In early 2010 the applicability of this new approach to population
wide colorectal cancer screening has been demonstrated in a large
prospective clinical study with approximately 8,000 study
participants with average disease risk aged 50 years and older in
Germany and the U.S.A. This PRESEPT study is one of the largest
privately sponsored studies in colorectal cancer screening ever
conducted.

"The Septin9 test was developed for the blood-based early detection
of invasive colorectal carcinoma", Dr. Plum explained. "We have
demonstrated the utility of the test for this application in the
PRESEPT Study and in numerous previous case control studies. Our
research now aims at further improving the blood test to even better
find the particularly hard to detect early stage cancers and ideally
also benign precursor lesions. We are excited that a clinical study
found the attention of the jury, which was the starting point for a
joint research project by Prof. Matthias Ebert of the Klinikum rechts
der Isar in Munich, the Association of Statutory Health Insurance
Physicians in Bavaria (KVB), and Epigenomics that is aimed at
addressing these questions."

The Felix Burda Award is awarded in five categories: Medical
Prevention, Public Prevention, Journalism for Prevention, Prevention
at Work and Stars for Prevention.

Among the nominated projects in the category Medical Prevention was a
study by Prof. Matthias Ebert and Marc Tänzer of the II. Medical
Clinic, Klinikum rechts der Isar titled "Epigenetic Screening for
Colorectal Adenomas - Results of a Study for the Validation of two
Methylation Markers". This study together with Epigenomics' previous
research is the starting point for the EpiTEK project, which started
in July 2009 and will be sponsored for several years by the German
Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Within EpiTEK, scientists
of Prof. Ebert's group, the Association of Statutory Health Insurance
Physicians in Bavaria (KVB) and scientists from Epigenomics AG work
together in an innovative research alliance of academic science,
healthcare providers and industry to further develop the Septin9
blood test with a focus on the detection of benign precursor lesions
of the colorectal carcinoma, so called adenomas. In their statement
on the nomination the jury of the Felix Burda Award pointed to the
seminal character of this research approach with regard to the
significant increase of participation in colorectal cancer screening
and further highlighted the project's landmark character.

"From a scientific and clinical point of view this project reflects a
novel approach to colorectal cancer prevention as it focuses for the
first time on the non invasive screening for precursor lesions of the
cancer", stated Prof. Ebert. "The nomination for the Felix Burda
Award 2010 is a special honor for our previous, jointly performed
studies. It is also a mandate to continue pursuing this concept
within the EpiTEK study."

The Septin9 test

The Septin9 test was developed by Epigenomics as a blood test for the
early detection of colorectal cancer. The test relies on the
detection of methylated DNA of the Septin9 gene (mSEPT9) in blood
plasma. It is the first of its kind worldwide. Under the brand name
Epi proColon Epigenomics markets a CE-marked, in-vitro-diagnostic
real time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) test kit for the
qualitative detection of mSEPT9 in bisulfite converted DNA isolated
from human plasma samples. Presence of mSEPT9 is associated with, and
may aid in, the detection of invasive colorectal adenocarcinoma. For
further information and availability of the Septin9 test please go
to: www.septin9test.de.

The EpiTEK project

Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research,
EpiTEK is a clinical research project for the early detection of
colorectal cancer, realized in an alliance of Scientists from the 2nd
Medical Clinic of the University Hospital rechts der Isar at the
Munich Technical University, the Association of Statutory Health
Insurance Physicians in Bavaria (KVB) and Epigenomics AG, a molecular
diagnostics company based in Berlin, Germany, and Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
The project aims at the further developing Epigenomics' already
available blood test for the detection of invasive colorectal cancer
to detect already pre-malignant precursor lesions of the disease, so
called adenomas and polyps. Compared to the currently recommended
colonoscopy for the detection of polyps and tumors of the colon such
an approach would be more convenient for individuals undergoing
colorectal cancer screening. A non-invasive "polyp test" could thus
complement currently available conventional prevention strategies
including colonoscopy and thereby might significantly contribute to
reducing mortality from colorectal cancer. For further information on
the EpiTEK study please go to: www.myepitek.de.

About Epigenomics

Epigenomics is a molecular diagnostics company with a focus on the
development of novel products for cancer. Using DNA methylation
biomarkers, Epigenomics' tests on the market and in development aim
at diagnosing cancer at an early stage before symptoms occur and
thereby may reduce mortality from this dreaded disease.

Epigenomics' product portfolio contains the CE-marked IVD test Epi
proColon, the world's first regulatory cleared molecular diagnostic
test for the detection of colorectal cancer in blood that is based on
the biomarker Septin9, and further proprietary DNA methylation
biomarkers and IVD products at various stages of development for
colorectal, lung and prostate cancer. For development and global
commercialization of IVD test products, Epigenomics pursues a dual
business strategy in which direct commercialization of proprietary
diagnostic test products is combined with non-exclusive licensing to
diagnostic industry players with broad customer access. Strategic
diagnostics industry partners include Abbott Molecular, Sysmex
Corporation, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, and ARUP Laboratories,
Inc. for diagnostics test products and services, and QIAGEN N.V. for
sample preparation solutions and research products. The company is
headquartered in Berlin, Germany, and has a wholly owned subsidiary,
Epigenomics Inc., in Seattle, WA, U.S.A. For more information, please
visit Epigenomics' website at www.epigenomics.com.

Epigenomics legal disclaimers. 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.

The information contained in this communication does not constitute
nor imply an offer to sell or transfer any product, and no product
based on this technology is currently available for sale in the
United States. The analytical and clinical performance
characteristics of any product based on this technology which may be
sold at some future time in the U.S. have not been established.

end of announcement euro adhoc
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ots Originaltext: Epigenomics AG
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:

Epigenomics AG

Dr. Achim Plum

Sen. VP Corporate Development

Tel: +49 30 24345 368

achim.plum@epigenomics.com

Branche: Biotechnology
ISIN: DE000A0BVT96
WKN: A0BVT9
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