WALTHAM, Mass. and MADRID, Spain, April 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Interleukin Genetics, Inc. (NYSE Amex: ILI) and LABEC Pharma, S.L. announced today that the companies have entered a licensing agreement to permit LABEC Pharma to market and sell Interleukin Genetics’ Heart Health genetic test throughout Spain and Portugal. This molecular diagnostic tool helps to identify individuals at elevated risk for early heart attack. As part of the agreement, the test will be marketed by LABEC Pharma and the tests will be processed at Interleukin Genetics’ CLIA-certified laboratory in Waltham, MA. Interleukin Genetics will receive royalties and commercial milestone payments. The Interleukin Genetics’ Heart Health test is currently marketed within the United States under the brand name Gensona®.
“We are excited about this partnership with LABEC Pharma, which will allow for broader and international distribution of this important genetic test product,” said Lewis H. Bender, CEO, Interleukin Genetics, Inc. “Our Heart Health genetic test can give a better understanding of a person’s overall risk for heart attack, so that individuals and their physicians can begin to take the steps necessary for lowering risk to improve health outcomes.”
“Early intervention is a critical step in helping people stay healthy. We are pleased to begin offering the Interleukin Genetics’ Heart Health genetic test, which we believe fits well with our existing sales efforts in diagnostic products for disease management and prevention. Being able to offer this test in Spain and Portugal is great news for patients in these two countries,” said Javier de Echevarria, CEO, LABEC Pharma.
In recent years, large clinical trials have shown that people with elevated inflammation are at increased risk for heart disease events, even if they do not present with standard risk factors. The Interleukin Genetics’ Heart Health test is the first and only genetic test to identify variations in the Interleukin-1 (IL-1) genes responsible for over-expression of inflammatory cytokines. Individuals with certain interleukin genotypes have a statistically significant risk above standard risk factors for heart attack over those individuals without these genetic patterns.
About Heart Attack in Spain & Portugal
Heart disease and heart attacks are the second leading cause of death in Spain, only behind cancer. Approximately 25,000 people in Spain die each year from heart disease, while 70,000 suffer heart attacks. Studies conducted in Spain indicate that approximately 241 out of every 100,000 men, and 93 out of 100,000 women suffer heart attacks each year. A large registration study known as MONICA that evaluated 19,119 men and women with valid cardiovascular events over a 12 year period suggest a rapid increase of the disease in Spain. Portugal has a slightly lower rate of mortality with heart disease accounting for approximately 5,000 deaths per year. A recently completed large clinical study estimated the 10-year risk of fatal heart disease in Portuguese adults. About one-fifth of the individuals were classified as high risk.
About Interleukin Genetics
Interleukin Genetics, Inc. (NYSE Amex: ILI), is a genetics-focused personalized health company that develops preventative consumer products and genetic tests for sale to the emerging personalized health market. Focused on the future of health and medicine, Interleukin Genetics uses its leading genetics research and scientific capabilities to develop and test innovative preventative and therapeutic products. Interleukin Genetics is headquartered in Waltham, MA. For more information about Interleukin Genetics, its products and ongoing programs, please visit http://www.ilgenetics.com.
About LABEC Pharma
LABEC Pharma, S.L. is a leading distributor of advanced diagnostic tests, with presence in Europe and Latin America. Focused on identifying state-of-the-art diagnostics, LABEC Pharma has partnership agreements with the leading hospitals and reference labs in the countries in which it operates, to make available those tests to physicians and patients. Amongst its products, LABEC Pharma distributes a high predictive value early diagnostic test for cervical cancer. LABEC Pharma is headquartered in Madrid, Spain. For more information about LABEC Pharma, its products and ongoing programs, please visit: http://www.labec.net.
Certain statements contained herein are “forward-looking” statements including statements regarding the Company’s ability to develop genetic tests that identify genetic variations that affect risk of heart disease and other conditions and how such genetic variations affect such conditions, to identify nutritional and lifestyle decisions that favorably affect such conditions, to provide such information in a format tailored to the individual, and to otherwise make progress in advancing the Company’s core technologies. Because such statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risk of market acceptance of the Company’s products, the risk of technology and product obsolescence, delays in product development, the performance of commercial partners, the availability of adequate capital, the actions of competitors and other competitive risks, and those risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company disclaims any obligation or intention to update these forward-looking statements.
