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PRESS RELEASE: Epigenomics AG: Epigenomics Further Strengthens Intellectual Property Coverage for Epi proColon in the U.S. and in China

DGAP-News: Epigenomics AG / Key word(s): Patent Epigenomics AG: Epigenomics Further Strengthens Intellectual Property Coverage for Epi proColon in the U.S. and in China

10.02.2014 / 11:30

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Patents cover detection of colorectal cancer with Septin9 biomarker

Berlin (Germany) and Germantown, MD (U.S.A.), February 10, 2014 - Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt Prime Standard: ECX; OTCQX: EPGNY), the German-American cancer molecular diagnostics company, today announced that the Company was granted key Intellectual Property (IP) rights related to its blood-based colorectal cancer screening test Epi proColon(R) in the U.S. and in China.

On January 7, 2014, the Company received a patent for the method used in Epi proColon(R) to analyse Septin9 DNA methylation by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

In addition, on January 30, 2014, Epigenomics received a 'Notice of Allowance' stating that the Chinese Patent and Trademark Office intends to grant a patent for Epigenomics' Septin9 DNA methylation biomarker (mSEPT9) for use in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. The Company was granted the corresponding biomarker patents for the U.S. by the USPTO already in 2010 and for Europe by the European Patent Office (EPO) in 2008.

'Receiving the patent for the underlying method used in our Epi proColon(R) screening test in the U.S. and the notice of allowance for the Septin9 biomarker in China significantly strengthens our intellectual property portfolio for our key product in two of the world's biggest markets,' Dr. Thomas Taapken, CEO/CFO of Epigenomics, commented. 'The method patent in the U.S. extends the IP coverage for Epi proColon(R) beyond the existing protection for the Septin9 biomarker used for colorectal cancer screening. This is especially encouraging in light of the recent Mayo vs. Prometheus court ruling in the US and underscores our leadership in molecular diagnostics based on DNA methylation. The recent patent grants are in line with our strategy to protect our products at different levels and are part of multiple biomarker and method patent applications we have filed over the past years to cover novel DNA methylation biomarkers in many cancer indications. The current grants further validate the innovative nature of our Septin9-based colorectal cancer test.'

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PRESS RELEASE: Epigenomics AG: Epigenomics Further Strengthens Intellectual Property Coverage for Epi proColon in the ...