BERLIN, Feb. 19, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt:ECX) (Other OTC:EPGNF), a cancer molecular diagnostics company, today announced that it signed a non-exclusive licensing agreement for its proprietary DNA methylation biomarker Septin 9 with U.S. based Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX), the leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services. 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. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. Epigenomics has demonstrated that methylated DNA of the Septin 9 gene in blood plasma indicates the presence of colorectal cancer in early stages.(1) Quest Diagnostics plans to develop the Septin 9 DNA methylation test to actas a supplement to conventional methods of colorectal cancerscreening, including colonoscopy and fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs).
