Berlin, Germany, and Seattle, WA, U.S.A., December 04, 2012 - Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt Prime
Standard: ECX), the German-American cancer molecular diagnostics company, today announced top-line
results from a head-to-head comparative study between its blood-based colorectal cancer (CRC) detection
test Epi proColon® and fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) to demonstrate the non-inferiority of Epi
proColon® in detection of CRC.
Dr. Thomas Taapken, Chief Financial Officer and acting Chief Executive Officer of Epigenomics,
commented: “Based on the achieved non-inferiority in CRC detection, we believe that Epi proColon® has
demonstrated its value to be a convenient non-invasive test alternative for CRC detection. Bringing a
blood-based non-invasive product like Epi proColon® to the market will significantly drive awareness for
colorectal cancer screening among individuals that would otherwise be noncompliant, since current
compliance to FIT testing remains at low levels.”
In the reported trial, Epi proColon® detected 73 in a total of 103 evaluable samples from patients with
colorectal cancer, which represents a sensitivity of 71%. The FIT comparator used in the study, one of the
most commonly used FIT products in the US market, detected 66 out of 98 cancer cases for which stool
samples were provided, translating into a sensitivity of 67%. Based on Epigenomics’ analysis of the data,
which was confirmed by an external party, the Company met the critically important endpoint of non-
inferiority with respect to sensitivity of Epi proColon® to FIT. These results represent an important
milestone for Epigenomics and will be part of the final module of the Premarket Approval (PMA)
submission expected to be filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before the end of this
year.
The double blind study was performed at 70 clinical trial sites across the US and comprised two arms. The
first arm included a total of 103 asymptomatic, average risk individuals without family history or previous
incidences of CRC, who were diagnosed and confirmed as having colorectal cancer during a screening
colonoscopy. Matched blood and stool samples from these patients were collected at least 10 days after
colonoscopy but before surgical intervention. The second arm of the study included 198 individuals
selected according to the same criteria, but whose blood and stool samples were collected before the
colonoscopy. This study arm included three cancer cases as well as advanced adenomas, polyps and
individuals with no evidence of disease. Based on all non-CRC samples from the second arm, specificity
for Epi proColon® was determined at 81% and for FIT at 98%. These findings are in line both with
previous studies on Epi proColon® and published data for FIT. In summary, Epigenomics met the
critically important sensitivity endpoint, which provides the potential to discover more CRC patients. The
difference in specificity was anticipated and in the Company’s opinion is less vital, since patients will
undergo a colonoscopy –the currently recommended screening procedure– as a result of a positive test
result. Testing of all samples was performed strictly according to the instructions for use by the respective
manufacturers of both tests at an independent third party testing laboratory in the US, which was blinded
to the samples analyzed.
Dr. Uwe Staub, Chief Operating Officer of Epigenomics, commented: “These positive study results
confirm the performance of our assay and indicate that Epi proColon® is non-inferior to FIT in the
detection of CRC. We look forward to an active dialogue with the agency upon completion of our PMA
filing before the end of this year.”
The company plans to submit detailed study results for presentation at a medical meeting and for peer -
reviewed publications in the near future.
Conference call for press and analysts
Epigenomics’ management will host a conference call and an audio webcast at 5pm CET/11am ET today,
Tuesday 4th December 2012.
The dial-in numbers for the conference call are:
Dial-in number (within Germany): + 49 69 247501899
Dial-in number (within the UK): + 44 203 1474861
Dial-in number (within the U.S.): + 1 212 4440297
Participants are kindly requested to dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call.
The presentation accompanying the conference call and dial-in details for the audio webcast will be
available on Epigenomics’ website:
http://www.epigenomics.com/en/news-investors.html
A webcast of the conference call will be provided on Epigenomics’ website subsequently:
http://www.epigenomics.com/en/news-investors.html
Contact Epigenomics AG
Antje Zeise
Manager IR | PR
Epigenomics AG
Tel +49 (0) 30 24345 368
ir@epigenomics.com
www.epigenomics.com
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, QIAGEN, Sysmex, and Quest Diagnostics. Epigenomics is an international company
with operations in Europe and the U.S.A.
Epigenomics legal disclaimer
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, f inancial condition, performance or
achievements of Epigenomics AG to be materially dif ferent 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 of fer to sell or transf er
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.