Biocartis and VIB Join Forces to Develop Unique Diagnostic Cancer Test

Lausanne, Switzerland And Mechelen, Belgium (ots/PRNewswire) -

Today Biocartis and VIB announced their exclusive license
agreement on a novel panel of microsatellite instability (MSI)
biomarkers for several cancers, in particular colorectal cancer
(CRC). This agreement will enable Biocartis to develop a unique and
user-friendly assay, whereby MSI biomarkers can simply and rapidly be
detected by Biocartis' molecular diagnostics platform Idylla(TM).

Biocartis' innovative platform and oncology assays

Biocartis develops the innovative user-friendly diagnostic
platform Idylla(TM)[1], for the molecular analysis of clinical
samples. Biocartis also develops a wide range of clinically relevant
tests for various diagnostic areas primarily in the field of
oncology. For the development of a new assay for microsatellite
instability, Biocartis joins forces with the world-renowned research
institute VIB.

Novel MSI biomarkers for colorectal, ovarian and other cancers

Microsatellite instability (MSI) is one of the premier molecular
markers in CRC but is also important in ovarian, endometrial and
gastric cancers. MSI evolves as a result of inactivation of the DNA
mismatch repair (MMR) system and can be found in approximately 15% of
all CRCs.

A completely novel set of MSI-markers is now introduced by Prof.
Dr. Diether Lambrechts (Vesalius Research Center, VIB, KU Leuven)
through whole genome sequencing of colon and endometrial cancers with
MMR deficiency. Prof. Lambrechts commented: "We were able to prove
that our novel set of markers has a higher specificity and
sensitivity than the current golden standard for MSI. I am very
excited about this collaboration with Biocartis, as the clinical
application of these markers will facilitate the improved detection
of tumors with MSI."

New colorectal cancer assay for simple and rapid detection

As a result of the license agreement with VIB, Biocartis will
develop a new CRC assay for MSI biomarker detection. Today,
MSI-testing is vastly underused due to the technical complexity of
the current laboratory-developed assays. The availability of a simple
and user-friendly assay on Biocartis' Idylla(TM) platform has the
potential to unlock greatly this considerable market.

Geert Maertens, CSO at Biocartis, commented: "This agreement is a
nice example of valorization of new biomarkers from centers of
excellence such as the VIB-lab of Prof. Lambrechts. Together with our
core panel of colon cancer mutations and the recently in-licensed
EGFR S492R mutation from Hospital del Mar, we are building a superior
and unique menu for colon cancers assays on our Idylla(TM) platform."

Financial details of the license agreement are not disclosed.

1. Platform and assays are currently under development and hence
for Research Use Only (not yet for use in diagnostic procedures).

ots Originaltext: Biocartis
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Contact: Rudi Pauwels, CEO, +32-15-632-600 (Mechelen) ,
nhutsebaut@biocartis.com