EANS-News: Epigenomics AG: Surveys Show That Patients Believe in Blood Tests for Regular Colorectal Cancer Screening

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Subtitle: Results of a joint survey by Epigenomics AG and europacolon
during the first European Colorectal Cancer Patient Conference;
nationwide survey in the U.S. reports similar results

Berlin, Germany, and Seattle, WA, U.S.A, July 7, 2011 (euro adhoc) -
Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt Prime Standard: ECX), the cancer molecular
diagnostics company, today announced the results of a survey
conducted at europacolon´s first European CRC Patient Conference, The
Power of Patient Voice 2011, showing that patients believe tests
using blood samples would encourage more people to participate in
regular screening for colorectal cancer.

Of the participants in the survey, more than 50% had previously heard
of the possibility of CRC blood testing and more than 70% thought
that using a blood test would encourage more people to participate in
regular screening for colorectal cancer. Some of the most often
mentioned reasons that survey participants gave for preferring blood
tests were ease-of-use and simplicity, not having to handle stool
samples as necessary for conventional non-invasive testing, and
overall fit with other routine blood tests.

The survey was jointly conducted by Epigenomics and europacolon, the
first European non-profit organization dedicated to colorectal
cancer. europacolon´s mission is to prevent deaths from colorectal
cancer and improve the quality of life and support for those affected
by the disease. Epigenomics has developed the world´s first in vitro
diagnostic blood test for the early detection of colorectal cancer
known as the Septin9 Test and fully supports europacolon in its fight
against colorectal cancer.

Jola Gore-Booth, the Founder and CEO of europacolon commented: "We
are delighted that over 140 delegates from 27 countries globally
attended this first ever Colorectal Cancer Patient Conference. The
great success of the Conference has given us enormous encouragement
in our work to promote the prevention and early diagnosis of
colorectal cancer in all European countries. Putting in place formal
population screening programs for all the citizens of Europe is
essential for effective prevention of colorectal cancer and for
saving thousands of lives. A blood test for the early detection of
colorectal cancer could remove some of the hurdles to effective
compliance to colorectal cancer screening and be instrumental in
reducing mortality from this killer disease."

Independent of the europacolon survey, Quest Diagnostics, one of
Epigenomics´ partners in the U.S.A., in June announced, in
collaboration with the U.S. non-profit organization Colon Cancer
Alliance, the results of a jointly conducted U.S. national telephone
survey of more than 1,300 men and women 50 years of age and older. In
this survey, 31% of the participants reported that they had never
been screened for CRC. Of the respondents between 60-70 years of age
that had previously participated in screening, 33% stated that they
had only been screened once in the past. These results demonstrate
widespread lack of adherence to national guidelines in the U.S.A.,
which recommend regular screening by colonoscopy in combination with
other tests for colorectal cancer for all men and women aged 50 and
older. When asked about the option of a blood test, 78% of the
participants said that they were likely to take a blood test for
colorectal cancer screening and 75% said they were more likely to get
screened more frequently if a blood test was offered to them. The
survey results were presented during the Colon Cancer Alliance´s
national conference "Family Matters: What You and Your Family Need to
Know about Colon Cancer," which was held June 23-25 in Denver, CO,
U.S.A.

Dr. Jürgen Beck, M.D., Senior VP Medical Affairs of Epigenomics,
commented: "The lack of widespread acceptance and regular utilization
of conventional methods for the early detection of colorectal cancer,
such as colonoscopy and stool tests, severely limit the potential of
screening to reduce mortality from this common cancer. The two
surveys in Europe and the U.S.A. clearly show the potential of
blood-based screening as an approach to increase compliance. We
expect these findings to be substantiated further through studies
into patient preferences and screening adherence that are ongoing at
clinical centers in the U.S.A. and Europe."

Colorectal cancer is curable in more than 90% of cases if diagnosed
while still localized. Nevertheless, this disease is one of the most
frequent causes of cancer-related deaths in the industrialized world
due to lack of adherence to current screening recommendations.

-Ends-

Further information

For further information on europacolon please visit
www.europacolon.com.

The 2011 europacolon Colorectal Cancer Patient Conference "The Power
of Patient Voice" was held on June 24-25, 2011 alongside the 13th
World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancers organized by the European
Society for Medical Oncology in Barcelona, Spain.

For information on the Colon Cancer Alliance please see
www.ccalliance.org. For press releases on the U.S. survey, please
visit Quest Diagnostics´ website at
http://questdiagnostics.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43 or the Colon
Cancer Alliance website at
http://www.ccalliance.org/releases/index.html

About Epigenomics

Epigenomics (www.epigenomics.com) is a molecular diagnostics company
developing and commercializing a pipeline of proprietary products for
cancer. The Company´s products enable doctors to diagnose cancer
earlier and more accurately, leading to improved outcomes for
patients. Epigenomics´ lead product, Epi proColon®, is a blood-based
test for the early detection of colorectal cancer, which is currently
marketed in Europe and is in development for the U.S.A. The Company´s
technology and products have been validated through multiple
partnerships with leading global diagnostic companies including
Abbott, Quest Diagnostics, QIAGEN, and Sysmex. Epigenomics is an
international company with operations in Europe and the U.S.A.

About europacolon

europacolon is an independent Not for Profit organisation founded in
2005. It is the first European organisation dedicated to colorectal
cancer and it aims to unite patients, carers, healthcare
professionals, politicians, the media and the public in the fight
against the disease. europacolon´s mission is to reduce deaths and
improve the quality of life and support for those affected by
colorectal cancer in Europe. Its aims and objectives are to: -
Prioritise and raise the profile of colorectal cancer - Establish
patient advocacy groups - Create a colorectal cancer community -
Increase awareness of symptoms and prevention of the disease -
Campaign for screening and improved choice of treatments - Encourage
the improvement of European standards and equity of care through the
development of National Cancer Plans

Since 2005 europacolon has established dedicated colorectal cancer
organisations in 27 European countries: 10 Affiliate Members; 8
Associate Members; and 9 pending Members (Austria, Belgium, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Finland,
Germany, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Netherlands, Republic of Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania,
Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the UK).

For more information, please visit www.europacolon.com

Notes for editors

About Colorectal Cancer

For 2011 the American Cancer Society expects an estimated 140,000 new
cases of colorectal cancer to be diagnosed in the United States and
almost 50,000 U.S. citizens to die from the disease. The 5-year
survival rate is over 90% if the disease is treated in early stages
but diminishes to about 12% once the cancer has affected other
organs. Today, the majority of cancers are still found in advanced
stages due to insufficient patient compliance to screening
recommendations that leaves half of the population unscreened.
Increasing compliance to regular cancer screening in the population
aged 50 years and older is considered key to decreasing mortality
from this disease.

Septin9 blood tests for CRC

Epigenomics and its partner Abbott already market their respective
first generation CE-marked Septin9 tests in Europe, the Middle East,
Asia/Pacific and further markets. Epigenomics is in the process of
developing a second generation Septin9 assay as a colorectal cancer
screening test for the U.S. and European markets. Epigenomics expects
to submit this enhanced Septin9 colorectal cancer screening test
branded Epi proColon® 2.0 to the FDA for regulatory review before
year-end 2011. Under licenses from Epigenomics, Septin9 testing is
currently offered in the U.S.A. by Quest Diagnostics (ColoVantage™)
and ARUP Laboratories (Methylated Septin9 Test) as
laboratory-developed tests aiding in the detection of colorectal
cancer.

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 by Epigenomics in the United States or
Canada. The analytical and clinical performance characteristics of
any Epigenomics product based on this technology which may be sold at
some future time in the U.S. have not been established.

Further inquiry note:
Dr. Achim Plum
Sen. VP Corporate Development
Epigenomics AG
Tel: +49 30 24345 368
achim.plum@epigenomics.com

end of announcement euro adhoc
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company: Epigenomics AG
Kleine Präsidentenstraße 1
D-10178 Berlin
phone: +49 30 24345-0
FAX: +49 30 24345-555
mail: ir@epigenomics.com
WWW: www.epigenomics.com
sector: Biotechnology
ISIN: DE000A0BVT96, DE000A0XFWF2
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