Berlin, Germany, and Seattle, WA, U.S.A., July 05, 2012 - Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt Prime
Standard: ECX), the German-American cancer molecular diagnostics company, announced today
that Swiss Life, France’s third largest private health insurance company, with nearly two million
policyholders, will provide the Septin9 blood based test for the early detection of colorectal
cancer (CRC) as part of a preventive health program. As the first French insurance company to
provide the Septin9 test, Swiss Life is offering up to 50% reimbursement of this test at a cost of €
95. French Social Security does not currently cover the Septin9 test. With this decision, Swiss
Life France is demonstrating its strong commitment to the improved prevention of CRC for its
policyholders. Furthermore, the decision underpins its pioneering approach to disease prevention.
Since 2005, Swiss Life has offered its policyholders an optional preventive health package,
approved by a committee of medical experts, which is integrated into Swiss Life’s health
insurance contracts.
Colorectal cancer remains the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in France. The disease
is curable when detected at the early, localized stage. Crucially, survival rates decrease rapidly
once the tumor has spread to vital organs and patients start showing symptoms.
Geert Nygaard, CEO of Epigenomics, said: "We are extremely pleased about the positive
reimbursement decision and endorsement of the Septin9 blood based test for CRC detection by
Swiss Life France. Our version of the test, Epi proColon® 2.0 CE, has recently become
commercially available in France and we look forward to working with healthcare pioneers like
Swiss Life to increase compliance to CRC screening in order to improve health outcomes.
Furthermore, today’s decision clearly confirms our recently implemented commercialization
approach in Europe under which we are working closely with key players in the healthcare
system".
"Swiss Life has always paid close attention to medical innovations. This commitment allows us
to offer our policyholders access to effective prevention for continuing wellbeing. With 17,000
deaths annually in France and 17 million people eligible to be screened, colorectal cancer is a
major public health issue for which Swiss Life has agreed reimbursement of this innovative test,"
commented Pierre François, CEO of Swiss Life Prévoyance et Santé in France.
Epi proColon® 2.0 CE is the world’s first CE-marked molecular diagnostic test for the early
detection of colorectal cancer in blood. The test uses Epigenomics’ proprietary colorectal cancer
biomarker Septin9 in blood plasma and has recently become commercially available in France.
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
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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.