WALTHAM, Mass., and BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Aug. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Interleukin Genetics, Inc. , and OralDNA Labs, Inc., today announced the execution of a marketing, sales and distribution agreement for Interleukin Genetics’ proprietary PST(R) Genetic Test. The PST(R) Genetic Test provides a means of assessing an individual’s genetic risk for periodontal disease, the most common cause of tooth loss. Under the terms of the agreement, OralDNA will receive a non-exclusive license from Interleukin Genetics to market, sell and distribute Interleukin Genetics’ proprietary PST(R) Genetic Test to dental practices within the United States. OralDNA will pay Interleukin Genetics a set fee per test for all tests sold by OralDNA and is responsible for all costs it incurs for marketing such tests. Patients will be asked in the informed consent if they would like to receive additional testing services, other than the PST(R) Genetic Test, provided by Interleukin Genetics.
Lewis H. Bender, Chief Executive Officer of Interleukin Genetics, commented, “We are pleased to have entered into this license agreement for OralDNA to market our PST(R) Genetic Test as a determinant of risk for periodontal disease. We believe that this relationship will allow our sales of this important product to grow with a sales force that specifically targets dental practices. In addition, we expect that this agreement with OralDNA Labs will enable our core strategy of growth through partnerships and should allow Interleukin Genetics to build a customer base to provide additional test services.”
Brian C. Carr, Chief Executive Officer of OralDNA, commented, “We are very excited to be working with Interleukin Genetics and adding the PST(R) Genetic Test to our portfolio of diagnostic tests performed in our new U.S. based laboratory. We believe that by combining our MyPerioPath test, which identifies specific pathogenic bacteria causing an infection within the gum structure, with the PST(R) Genetic Test, we are providing the dental community with the proper tools to identify and treat periodontal disease. The combination of both tests creates a systematic way to track and maximize clinical outcomes for dental professionals and their patients. As we continue to understand the systemic link and risk factors associated with periodontal disease, it’s important that we partner with companies who, like us, are focused on helping dental professionals identify and treat disease at its earliest onset.”
About Periodontal Disease in the United States
Periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are serious infections that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Periodontal disease is usually first diagnosed by the patients’ dentist. About a third of adults will have at least 3 to 4 teeth affected with moderate periodontal disease. Severe or rapidly progressing disease affects 5 - 15 percent of the population. There are over 160,000 dentists in the U.S. who frequently perform diagnostic (86 percent) and preventive (79 percent) procedures. Over half of the population visits a dentist, usually twice a year. As a result, the average dental office sees approximately 4,000 patients each year and many of which will go on to develop periodontal disease. The U.S. dental market is valued at $70 - $96 billion annually with the average patient spending about $560 per year, over half of this on diagnostic and preventive procedures. Of the 128 million patients who visit a dentist each year, half are in the age range (18 to 54) most appropriate for PST risk assessment.
About PST(R) Genetic Test
PST(R) Genetic Test is a reliable way of assessing an individual’s genetic risk for periodontal disease, the most common cause of tooth loss. PST(R) Genetic Test is the first and only genetic test that analyzes interleukin 1 (IL1) genes for variations that identify an individual’s predisposition for over-expression of inflammation and risk for more severe periodontal disease. The PST(R) Genetic Test was developed following numerous clinical studies, and more than 40 peer-reviewed articles have been published on the test.
About Interleukin Genetics
Interleukin Genetics, Inc. , is a genetics-focused personalized health company that develops preventive 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 preventive and therapeutic products. Interleukin Genetics currently offers an array of Nutraceuticals and OTCeuticals(R), including Ginkoba(R), Ginsana(R) and Venastat(R) which are sold at the nation’s largest food, drug and mass retailers, and has commercialized genetic tests for periodontal disease risk assessment, cardiovascular risk assessment, and general nutrition assessment.
Interleukin Genetics is headquartered in Waltham, MA. For more information about Interleukin Genetics, its products and ongoing programs, please visit www.ilgenetics.com .
About OralDNA Labs
OralDNA Labs, Inc. is a specialty diagnostic company created to advance existing and future diagnostic capabilities as they are applied within oral medicine. The company’s purpose is to supply the dental profession with reliable, definitive and cost effective clinical tests that help detect and diagnose disease at an earlier stage thus allowing for better clinical outcomes. For more information about OralDNA Labs, Inc., please visit www.OralDNA.com .
Certain statements contained herein are “forward-looking” statements including statements regarding our ability to develop diagnostic, personalized nutritional and therapeutic products to prevent or treat diseases of inflammation and other genetic variations, our ability to screen nutritional compounds for their effects on inflammatory responses and other genetic variations, given specific genetic patterns and our ability to make progress in advancing our 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 our products, the risk of technology and product obsolescence, delays in product development, the performance of our commercial partners, the availability of adequate capital, the actions of our competitors and other competitive risks, and those risks and uncertainties described in our annual reports on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other documents we file with, or furnish to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any obligation or intention to update these forward-looking statements.
CONTACT: Media, Lisa Rivero of LaVoie Group, +1-978-745-4200 x106,
lrivero@lavoiegroup.com; or Investor Relations, Melanie Friedman of Stern
Investor Relations, +1-212-362-1200, melanie@sternir.com
Web site: http://www.ilgenetics.com/
http://www.OralDNA.com/
