TIDMEKF
RNS Number : 9875M
EKF Diagnostics Holdings PLC
13 May 2015
EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc
("EKF", the "Company")
New colon cancer test opens up universal molecular testing
Launch of the first affordable next generation sequencing test
for cancer in the US
EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc (AIM: EKF), the AIM listed
point-of-care, central laboratory and molecular diagnostics
business, announces the launch of its next generation sequencing
("NGS") technology PrecisionPath(TM) in partnership with Greenville
Health Systems ("GHS"), one of the leading cancer institutes in the
US. For the first time patients will have wider access to
affordable advanced NGS testing that can help doctors determine the
most effective cancer treatments based on an individual's genetic
profile.
The launch of the PrecisionPath(TM) Colon by EKF's subsidiary
Selah Genomics ("Selah"), follows a successful one year trial with
GHS, one of the leading cancer institutes in the US, and will be
the first commercial NGS panel molecular test for invasive colon
cancer priced under US$1,000 with a target turnaround time of less
than 7 days per reportable result.
PrecisionPath(TM) can be used by oncologists nationally to
identify the specific growth drivers for colon cancer in an
individual based on their genetic make-up and to, ultimately,
ensure the most effective therapy is used at all times during
treatment. By identifying the cancer's specific susceptibility to
available treatments, PrecisionPath(TM) will help oncologists
select the most effective options for a patient based on the
patient's tumor type.
The advantage of the PrecisionPath(TM) Colon test panel is that
it focusses on a key number of actionable biomarkers which provide
maximum clinical utility at a more affordable cost. The panel
provides a clear and concise report that differentiates between
those genes with proven clinical utility and others under clinical
trial investigation. As the body of evidence for clinical utility
grows, reports will be updated accordingly, providing doctors with
a means to routinely integrate genomic analysis into the everyday
care of cancer patients.
Initially PrecisionPath(TM) Colon will be available across GHS's
oncology treatment centres. According to the American Cancer
Society and the US National Cancer Institute, colorectal cancer
(CRC) death is the second leading cause of cancer death in the US
in men and women combined, with close to 50,000 patients predicted
to die in 2015 and more than 130,000 new cases of colorectal cancer
being diagnosed. In Europe, it is predicted that there will be
close to 450,000 new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in 2015.
EKF will then expand the service throughout the US targeting
oncologists and pathologists treating patients with invasive CRC.
EKF intends to offer PrecisionPath(TM) in additional indications,
including lung cancer, breast cancer and melanoma beginning in late
2015.
EKF and GHS' commercialisation partnership strengthens an
already successful relationship, which began in March 2012 with the
formation of Selah's Clinical Genomics Centre at GHS.
PrecisionPath(TM) has been developed in close association with some
of the US's leading cancer specialists from the initial piloting
programme at the GHS Institute for Translational Oncology Research
(GHS ITOR) in May 2013 until today's commercial launch. This
partnership exists alongside the 18 month collaboration announced
on 2 March 2015 which is part funded by Becton Dickinson and
Company and brings together Selah's NGS technology and DecisionQ
artificial intelligence-based decision support algorithms.
Julian Baines, CEO of EKF, commented: "The launch of
PrecisionPath(TM) Colon, at a price under $1,000 coupled with a 7
day turnaround time, demonstrates EKF's commitment to providing
affordable access to world-class diagnostic testing to oncologists
treating patients across the US. It remains our goal to secure
reimbursement from public and private payers for PrecisionPath(TM)
and we believe our case is strengthened by our focus on invasive
colon cancer and the very clear guidelines that support clinical
utility in this area."
Enquiries:
EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc Tel: 029 2071 0570
David Evans, Executive Chairman Mob: 07740 084 452
Julian Baines, CEO Mob: 07788 420 859
Paul Foulger, CFO Mob: 07710 989 255
Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited
Robert Naylor (Corporate Finance) Tel: 020 7886 2714
Michael Seabrook (Sales) Tel: 020 7886 2704
Maisie Atkinson (Corporate Tel: 020 7886 2905
Broking)
Walbrook PR Limited Tel: 020 7933 8780 or ekf@walbrookpr.com
Paul McManus Mob: 07980 541 893
Lianne Cawthorne Mob: 07584 391 303
About EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc - www.ekfdiagnostics.com
EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc was formed in July 2010 following
the acquisition of EKF-diagnostic GmbH for EUR14.32m and refocused
its strategy to one of building a substantial point of care
diagnostics business. As part of this strategy, the Group has
integrated three further acquisitions, Quotient Diagnostics Limited
(acquired in September 2010), Argutus Medical Limited (acquired in
December 2010) and Stanbio Laboratory L.P. (acquired in June 2011).
In 2013 EKF established a new subsidiary, EKF Molecular Diagnostics
Ltd, to focus on molecular and companion diagnostics and acquired
360 Genomics Ltd, a business that owns diagnostics technologies for
cancer gene detection.
The Company, with its head office in Cardiff and operations in
London, Germany, Poland, Russia, Ireland and the US, is a leading
diagnostics business, focussing on the development, production and
distribution of chemical reagents and analysers for the testing of
Glucose, Lactate, Haemoglobin, Haematocrit and HbA1c.
In March 2011 EKF entered into a distribution agreement with
Alere Inc ("Alere"), a global diagnostics company, under which
Alere was appointed the exclusive distributor of EKF's CLIA waived
Hemo Control device and cuvettes in the US, Canada and United
Kingdom. The device is distributed in the US under the name
HemoPoint H2.
In March 2014, EKF acquired Separation Technology, Inc., a
Florida based manufacturer of in vitro diagnostics devices for the
haematology testing market. In April 2014, EKF completed the
acquisitions of Selah Genomics Inc., a US based developer of
molecular diagnostics for personalised medicine and DiaSpect
Medical AB., a Swedish based manufacturer of point-of-care
haemoglobin analysers.
About Selah Genomics - www.selahgenomics.com
Selah Genomics is a clinical diagnostic specialist supporting
healthcare providers and the pharmaceutical industry with advanced
molecular and genomic diagnostic services. Selah's services add
value to early stage drug development, clinical trials and
regulatory processes in the pharmaceutical industry and helps
clinicians and healthcare providers treat and monitor patients,
thereby improving patient outcomes. With the Power of Precision,
Selah Genomics provides the best in molecular diagnostic testing,
assay validation and genomic profiling that all leads to one common
goal: to provide better outcomes for patients.
About GHS's Research Development Corporation (RDC)
The designated innovation engine for GHS, the RDC focuses on
forming strategic collaborations and partnerships with industry
(pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, molecular
medicine-focused companies, etc.), leading intellectual property
and tech transfer strategies for GHS, and in spearheading relevant
economic development strategies including the support of
high-impact start-ups and early stage innovation companies housed
in GHS's unique innovation zone/wet lab space. The RDC also leads
business development activities for GHS's world class cancer
research institute, "ITOR" (Institute for Translational Oncology
Research) - which has one of the top phase 1 clinical research
units in the country, and has partnered with more than 50
pharma/biotech companies who continually sponsor phase 1 clinical
trials at GHS, including numerous first-in-human studies. ITOR also
has a rapidly growing bioinformatics-driven Tissue Bank and
Biorepository, a Clinical Genomics Center for onsite molecular
profiling and a 30,000 sq ft innovation/research zone with multiple
private sector, academic and clinician partners.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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