Diagenic Partners With DNAVision to Offer First Breast Cancer and Alzheimers Gene-Expression Blood Tests
OSLO, October 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DiaGenic ASA (OSL:DIAG) today
announced that it has signed a service provider agreement with DNAVision, a
leading panEuropean provider of gene expression-based diagnostic testing and
services With this laboratory service and following CE marking scheduled in
early2009, DiaGenic will be able to offer healthcare providers and patients
in Europe its innovative blood-based gene-expression diagnostic test for
early detection of breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease in a CLIA/ISO17025
certified environment.
"This agreement with DNAVision will provide us with the ideal launch
platform across Europe for our blood-based tests for early detection of
breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease," said DiaGenic CEO Erik Christensen,
M.D., Ph.D., "We are currently introducing the breast cancer test in India.
The key advantages of our tests are the ease of sample collection and the
ability to detect the earliest signs of disease. However, quality control is
equally important in generating provider and patient confidence. We therefore
regard DNAVision as an ideal partner since their testing facilities for
molecular diagnostics comply with the most advanced quality standards in
Europe."
"We are delighted to provide the diagnostic testing arm for DiaGenic in
Europe for their breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease tests. We are
convinced that such tests are laying the basis for new levels of diagnostic
services that will benefit overall healthcare provision in Europe " said
Jean-Pol Detiffe, CEO of DNAVision. "This agreement is also continuing
confirmation that DNAVision has become the partner of choice for biotech
companies who want to step into the diagnostic market without facing long IVD
application procedures, but with the help of a quality certified service
provider generating data available for clinical and diagnostic purposes."
"In parallel to this agreement, we are finalizing marketing in
preparation for a full European launch early next year following CE marking
of both the breast cancer and Alzheimer's test," concluded Dr Christensen.
About DiaGenic ASA
DiaGenic is an innovative Norwegian biotechnology company that seeks to
create value for patients, partners, and investors by developing new and more
patient friendly methods for early detection of diseases. DiaGenic is
currently a world leader in analyzing gene expression signatures related to
disease in easily available clinical samples such as peripheral blood. This
unique method is based on the principle that even when a disease is localized
at a specific part of the body, secondary responses, which are also
characteristic of the disease, can be measured in other parts. Significant
potential in numerous diseases such as breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease
has been identified. The company has been granted patents in the U.S. and
Europe. DiaGenic is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. For more information
visit http://www.diagenic.com
About DNAVision
DNAVision is a leading provider of applied pharmacogenetic &
pharmacogenomic services.
DNAVision offers the powerful combination of different technologies in
expression profiling, SNP genotyping and sequencing in a high quality
environment (First European laboratory to be ISO17025 accredited). DNAVision
is a spin-off of University of Brussels and Institute of Pathology and
Genetics. More information on DNAVision's service portfolio can be found on
http://www.dnavision.be
Corporate Inquiries: Erik Christensen, Managing Director DiaGenic ASA,
Grenseveien 92, NO-0663 Oslo, Norway, Tel +47-95939918, Email:
erik.christensen@diagenic.com; Media Inquiries: For DNAVision: Michael
Herman, DNAVision, Tel +32-71378527, Email m.herman@dnavision.be
