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| Network & Partners |
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Strategic Partners |
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09/2007: Abbott Molecular. In September 2007 we signed a non-exclusive strategic collaboration and license agreement in molecular diagnostics with Abbott, a global healthcare company. Under the agreement, Abbott intends to develop an in vitro diagnostic blood test for the early detection of colorectal cancer based on our proprietary DNA methylation biomarker Septin 9. Abbott anticipates launching a CE-marked test in Europe in 2009 followed by regulatory filing for U.S. approval in 2010. The colorectal cancer test will represent the first cancer diagnostic in the growing menu of assays on Abbott’s automated m2000 instrument, which is gaining strong acceptance in molecular diagnostics laboratories throughout the world. Abbott will conduct clinical trials and seek regulatory approval worldwide. The agreement also contains provisions for the evaluation by Abbott of some of our other proprietary biomarkers for additional cancer indications. |
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02/2008: Quest Diagnostics Inc. In February 2008 we signed a non-exclusive licensing agreement for its proprietary DNA methylation biomarker Septin 9 with Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, the leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services in the U.S. Under the agreement, Quest Diagnostics has obtained rights to uses of the Septin 9 DNA methylation biomarker to develop a molecular-based laboratory test that can help physicians detect colorectal cancer based on a patient’s blood specimen. Quest Diagnostics plans to develop the Septin 9 DNA methylation test to act as a supplement to conventional methods of colorectal cancer screening, including colonoscopy and fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs). Quest Diagnostics is the first commercial laboratory in the U.S. to non-exclusively license the Septin 9 biomarker from us with the goal of commercializing a laboratory-developed blood test. |
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05/2007, 04/2005: Qiagen GmbH. In April 2005, we established a strategic collaboration with Qiagen, a leading provider of innovative technologies and products for pre- analytical sample preparation and molecular diagnostics solutions. The partnership aims at jointly developing and introducing a "gold-standard" pre-analytical solution portfolio for DNA methylation analysis. As first product based on our technology, Qiagen launched in spring 2006 the EpiTect® Bisulfite Kit for standardized conversion and cleanup of DNA for methylation analysis. Initially limited to the world wide rights for the development, manufacturing, commercialization of pre-analytical solutions containing bisulfite treatment technology and the MethylLight assay technology for research purposes, the collaboration was broadened in May 2007 by a further licensing agreement granting the exclusive worldwide rights to our sample technologies for use in applied testing and in in-vitro molecular diagnostics. We retain the rights to these technologies for use in our own or partnered development projects and for the commercialization of molecular diagnostics. As we will develop our cancer screening and specialty diagnostics tests alone or in collaboration with IVD partners, we can make use of the pre-analytical IVD solutions developed by Qiagen but can also develop pre-analytical solutions on our own or together with our IVD partners. |
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06/2006: Affymetrix Inc and Epigenomics enter into a strategic partnership. Under the „Powered by Affymetrix®“ program Affymetrix has granted us non-exclusive access to Affymetrix microarray technology to develop and market microarray-based IVD tests for certain indications in oncology and further optional fields. This includes the GeneChip® System 3000Dx (GCS3000Dx), the first microarray instrumentation system for molecular diagnostic laboratories. The GCS3000Dx has already been granted regulatory clearance by the FDA and is CE marked in the European Union for IVD use in genetic testing.The first product to be developed for this system is intended to be our prostate cancer molecular classification test. |
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01/2008: OncoMethylome Sciences S.A. In January 2008 we have entered into a broad technology licensing agreement with OMS. Under the terms of the agreement, OMS obtained worldwide non-exclusive rights to several of our proprietary core technologies such as its MethyLight portfolio for the sensitive and quantitative detection of DNA methylation for in vitro diagnostic product development and commercialization. Further, OMS obtained rights to HeavyMethyl® technology, plus certain microarray-based technologies for DNA methylation analysis. In return for the licenses, we will receive an up-front payment and are eligible for royalties to be paid on any eventual commercial exploitation of the technologies by OMS and any of its partners who choose to sublicense such technology. |
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01/2008: DxS Ltd. In January 2008 we have entered into a strategic cross-licensing agreement with DXS Ltd.. Under the terms of the agreement, we obtain worldwide non-exclusive rights to DxS’ proprietary Scorpions® technology for R&D use and research kits, as well as an option to expand the license to the in vitro diagnostics (IVD) field. We intend to use this technology both in certain research kits as well as potentially in our cancer specialty diagnostics products. DxS in return receives an option for a worldwide non-exclusive license and further options to certain our IP covering the use of Scorpions® technology for DNA methylation applications. Both we and DxS have acquired options to sub-licensing rights for the respective technologies. |
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04/2007: Cogenics, a division of Clinical Data Inc., will promote to its customers our portfolio of DNA methylation services including genome-wide DNA methylation analysis, bisulfite sequencing, and real-time PCR technologies, which are performed in our laboratories in Germany. Additionally, Cogenics can offer DNA methylation analyses in Cogenics’ laboratories in the U.S. under Good Laboratory Practice ("GLP") standard. Data generated under this standard is compliant with FDA regulations and can be used in data submissions to the FDA as part of the process of obtaining approval for a drug. Under the agreement, we will promote Cogenics’ comprehensive pharmacogenomics and molecular biology services to our potential DNA methylation biomarker development partners and customers that we serve through our clinical solutions group. |
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09/2002: Roche Diagnostics and Epigenomics entered into a collaboration on the development of cancer diagnostic products. Until termination of the agreement in December 2006 (effective March 15, 2007), Epigenomics received R&D funding and milestone payments totalling EUR 30 million and discovered and validated to various levels diagnostic biomarkers for the early detection of colorectal, prostate and breast cancer. With the termination of the agreement all rights previously licensed to Roche Diagnostics reverted to Epigenomics. The programs are now available for partnering for global development, marketing and sales. |
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Biomarker R&D Partnerships |
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10 / 2007: Pharmion Corporation (Boulder, Co) and Epigenomics entered into a Master Services Agreement under which Epigenomics will provide DNA methylation services in connection with certain development programs that Pharmion is conducting. |
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05/2007: Myriad Genetics Inc. entered into an R&D-partnership with Epigenomics to identify DNA methylation biomarkers perdicting patients' reponse to a marketed oncology drug. Within the project, Epigenomics will use its proprietary DMH technology, and OncoSignTM, a method for the rapid identification of biomarkers. |
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12/2006: Centocor Inc., a US based biomedicines company and Epigenomics entered into an R&D collaboration to identify and analyze potential biomarkers for use in Centocor’s oncology program. |
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08/2006: Schering AG (now Bayer-Schering-Pharma AG) and Epigenomics entered into an R&D collaboration on a biomarker study in a preclinical cancer model. |
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08/2006: Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development L.L.C. (J&JPRD)and Epigenomics have entered into a R&D collaboration to identify and analyze potential biomarkers for use in J&JPRD’s oncology program. |
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05/2006: Philip Morris Research Laboratories GmbH and Epigenomics AG sign a second project agreement continuing their collaboration entered into in July 2005 to apply Epigenomics' proprietary DNA-Methylation technologies in tobacco-related research and development. |
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10/2004: Biogen Idec and Epigenomics entered three different pharmacodiagnostic research collaborations over the last couple of months. |
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| Pfizer |
09/2004: Pfizer became a customer of Epigenomics |
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11/2003: AstraZeneca and Epigenomics started an initial collaboration to develop DNA-methylation biomarkers for their oncology drugs, initially focussing on IRESSA. |
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12/2003: Wyeth and Epigenomics initially collaborate on the development of drug response biomarkers for an anti-cancer drug developed by Wyeth in xenograft mice. |
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10/2001: MethylGene and Epigenomics started a first partnership in which Epigenomics investigated gene methylation changes of patients enrolled in Phase II trials. The project was successfully completed in 2003.
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| Academic partners |
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AmericasDoctor Inc. in Gurnee, IL
Albany Medical College, Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Albany, New York USA Prof. Jeffrey S. Ross
The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK Dr. Wolf Reik, Member of Scientific Advisory Board
Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, USA Michael M. Ittmann, M.D., Ph.D.
Centre National de Génotypage (CNG), Paris, France Dr. Ivo Gut, Member of HEC
Centre René Huguenin in St. Cloud, France Dr. Frédérique Spyratos
Charité in Berlin, Germany Prof. Dr. med. Manfred Dietel, Member of Scientific Advisory Board
Charité, Robert Rössle Klinik, Berlin, Germany Dr. med. Christian Scholz
Charité - Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany Dr. med. Martin Rudwaleit and Prof.Dr.med. Joachim Sieper Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Campbell, Australia Peter Molloy
Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, Germany Dr. Jörg Hoheisel, Member of Scientific Advisory Board
Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum, Berlin, Germany Dr. med. Jun Dong, Dr.nat. Andreas Thiel and Prof.Dr. Andreas Radbruch
Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands John Foekens and John Martens
Glasgow University (Beatson Laboratories), Scotland Prof. Robert Brown
The Human Epigenome Consortium (HEC) Epigenomics has launched together with the The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and the Centre National de Génotypage (CNG), for uncovering the entire epigenetic information content of the human genome.
Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany Prof. Wolfgang A. Schulz, PhD
Hospital La Paz, Service of Oncology, Madrid, Spain Dr. Enrique Espinosa
Imperial College London R. Charles Coombes
Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland Prof. Andrew Feinberg, Member of Scientific Advisory Board
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts Dr. Rudolf Jaenisch, Member of Scientific Advisory Board
Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Physiologie, Dortmund, Germany Dr. Oliver Müller
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota David Ahlquist, MD
Muenster University Hospital, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Germany Dr. med. Robert R. Greb
NCI Bari in Bari, Italy Dr. Angelo Paradiso
The Ohio State University in Athens, Ohio Dr. Christoph Plass, Member of Scientific Advisory Board
Roy Castle International - Centre for Lung Cancer Research, Liverpool, UK Prof. John Field
Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary Bela Molnar MD PhD
Technische Universität Dresden (Universitätsklinik Carl Gustav Carus), Germany Dr. Robert Grützmann and Prof. H.-D. Saeger
Technische Universität München, Germany Prof. Dr. Manfred Schmitt and Dr. Nadia Harbeck
Universitätsfrauenklinik Ulm, Germany Dr. med Wang-Gohrke
Universität des Saarlandes, Saarbrücken, Germany Prof. Jörn Walter, Head of Genetics Department
Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany Prof. Fritz Jänicke, Prof. Christoph Thomssen, Dr. Volkmar Müller and Dr. Inga Bohlmann
University of Basel (Stiftung Tumorbank Basel and Department of Research), Switzerland Prof. Dr. Urs Eppenberger and Dr. Serenella Eppenberger-Castori
University of Heidelberg, National Center for Tumor-Diseases (NCT), Germany Multiple Myeloma Research Laboratory, Dr. Friedrich W. Cremer Medical Department V, Prof. Hartmut Goldschmidt
University of Ljubljana, Medical Faculty - Institute of Oncology, Slovenia Prof. Tanja Cufer, MD, PhD
University of Regensburg, Institute of Pathology, Germany Prof. Dr. Arndt Hartmann
University P.J. Safarik Kosice Faculty of Medicine, Dept. of Pharmacology, Kosice, Slovakia Prof. Ladislav Mirossay, MD, Dr Sc.
Urology Clinics of North Texas, USA James S. Cochran, MD
USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center , Los Angeles, California Peter Jones and Peter Laird, Members of Scientific Advisory Board
Virginia Mason Medical Center/Research Center in Seattle, WA John M. Corman MD, Director
The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK Dr. Stephan Beck, Member of Scientific Advisory Board and HEC
Our consultant in Argentina, Buenos Aires, is Astrid Pavlovsky, MD.
Centro de Diagnóstico Urológico in Capital Federal, Argentina Edgardo F. Becher, MD, PhD, Marcelo O. Borghi, MD andLuis F. Montes de Oca, MD
Halitus Instituto Médico in Buenos Aires, Argentina Rodolfo Sergio Pasqualini MD and María Victoria Bertolino MD
Hospital de Oncología Maríe Curie in Buenos Aires, Argentina Claudia Lebedinsky MD, Nicasio Cuneo MD and Guillermo Lerzo MD
Hospital Municipal Rivadavia in Buenos Aires, Argentina Carlos Alberto Gaeta MD, Alicia dos Santos MD, Adriana Ferrari Cifani MD and Daniel Levy MD
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