Genetic Technologies Limited and Sciona, Inc. Enter Into Nutrigenomics Intellectual Property Agreement
BOULDER, Colo., March 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Genetic Technologies Limited is pleased to report it has granted a license to its non-coding DNA patents to Sciona, based in Boulder, Colorado, USA.
The license runs for nine years and is the first step in a progressive co-operation between GTG and Sciona in relation to the emerging lifestyle and life-extension markets.
Sciona is a leading provider in the USA of personalized genetic tests which focus primarily on lifestyle and nutritional adjustments to enhance health and longevity. This is supported by a unique form of nonmedical, lifestyle counseling based on an individual's diet, exercise, lifestyle history and genetic profile.
Sciona Chief Executive Officer Peter Vitulli welcomed the granting of the non-coding license and commented, "Sciona is excited to be working with GTG; their intellectual property will allow us to expand our product offerings and our research endeavors, and having access to their world class laboratory facilities will further our expansion in the Pacific Rim area. GTG's non-coding DNA patents, together with our business model patent, will provide us with the ability to develop and explore exciting and new commercial opportunities in the field of Nutrigenomics."
GTG will be granted the right to market the Sciona range of products in the Asia-Pacific region, and to serve as a genotyping center for Sciona products at the GTG headquarters laboratory in Melbourne, Australia.
Genetic Technologies' Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mervyn Jacobson, said as the leading Asia-Pacific testing laboratory, GTG would be well placed to take advantage of the growing personalized genetic testing market.
"There is growing consumer interest within the Asia Pacific region for personalized genetic tests. Our regional testing services will allow consumers to get their results much faster than sending samples to the other side of the world."
The Sciona agreement follows a similar license granted by GTG in December 2006, to GENOSENSE, who also service the lifestyle and anti-aging markets, from a base in Vienna, Austria.
GTG and Sciona have also agreed to work together on joint licensing and enforcement of the GTG non-coding DNA patents as well as the Sciona Business Model patent, granted May 30, 2006 in the USA. Sciona's patent covers the use of computer-based algorhythms to analyze genetic variations in order to provide personalized lifestyle advice.
ABOUT GENETIC TECHNOLOGIES:
Genetic Technologies is a leading Australian life science company, specializing in the fields of genetics and genomics. The company's methods and processes through which non-coding DNA can be analyzed and applied have been patented in 24 countries and form the basis of worldwide licensing activities.
ABOUT SCIONA, INC.:
Sciona, based in Boulder, Colorado, sells patented, personalized, genetic tests and offers a unique non-medical, lifestyle counseling based on an individual's diet, exercise and lifestyle history and a confidential genetic screening. By supplying this information direct to consumers through a detailed report, Sciona is able to guarantee complete privacy and confidentiality to the customer and total individual control of genetic information. The Sciona tests focus on lifestyle and nutritional adjustments to enhance health and longevity and do not provide specific information about disease state or genetic predisposition. The Company's products are offered through direct sales, the internet and select retail outlets. For more information, visit www.sciona.com.
Genetic Technologies LimitedCONTACT: Dr. Mervyn Jacobson, Chief Executive Officer of GeneticTechnologies, +61 3 9415 1135, info@gtg.com.au; or Peter Vitulli, ChiefExecutive Officer of Sciona, Inc., +1-619-890-4040, pvitulli@sciona.com