VENLO, The Netherlands, February 8 /PRNewswire/ --
- Patent Licensed From Johns Hopkins University for PCR-based Companion Diagnostics for Cancer Treatments
QIAGEN (NASDAQ: QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary DxS has acquired the global and exclusive licence for biomarker PI3K from Johns Hopkins University to develop real-time-PCR and endpoint PCR assays. Research has shown that variation in the PI3K gene could be a key biomarker for use as a companion diagnostic with certain cancer treatments. The studies suggest that mutations in the PI3K oncogene are predictive for the success of certain treatments of patients suffering from lung, breast, colorectal and other cancers. QIAGEN has an active PI3K assay development and partnering program with pharmaceutical companies to develop and market tests for new cancer drug candidates. Financial details were not disclosed.
QIAGEN already markets a PI3K test for research use. This test is based on real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), a widely available technology to make DNA sequences visible through amplification. The assay, which uses technology that allows a very significant sensitivity, detects mutations frequently missed by sequencing methods.
The patent for PI3K mutations in human cancers was initially filed by researchers at Johns Hopkins who assessed the biomarker during their evaluation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting the EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) pathway. Various EGFR inhibiting drugs have shown to be not effective in cancer patients with mutations in genes of the EGFR pathway (EGFR, K-RAS, B-RAF etc.). QIAGEN already markets several tests determining the mutation status in oncogenes. This portfolio includes tests for mutations of K-RAS and B-RAF, which are indicative for metastatic colorectal, lung and other cancers. The K-RAS test is CE-marked for companion diagnostic use with EGFR inhibitors Vectibix(R) and Erbitux(R) and is expected to be submitted for FDA approval shortly.
"This license agreement is another step forward for QIAGEN and for the use of novel therapeutics that rely on the widespread availability of the required PI3K companion diagnostic test", said Peer M. Schatz, CEO of QIAGEN. "We are looking forward to developing drug-diagnostic combinations together with pharmaceutical partners for the selection of the right patient for the right medicine. This concept allows cancer patients to receive better treatments and can support healthcare systems to provide the most useful therapies in cost effective ways."
QIAGEN is active in more than 15 partnerships with pharmaceutical and large biotech companies in the field of personalized healthcare, including AstraZeneca, Merck, Amgen, Lilly, Boehringer-Ingelheim and Pfizer. QIAGEN has developed and markets approximately 20 companion diagnostics assays in personalized healthcare and has a strong pipeline targeting to further expand this leading franchise.
About Companion Diagnostics (CDx)
Companion Dx are integral to the part of personalized healthcare which allows physicians to determine patients' potential responses to drug treatment. These diagnostic tests are developed together with drugs for particular populations. By testing for specific genetic variations related to certain biomarkers, health professionals can customize their treatments to achieve the best possible therapeutic results and avoid unnecessary treatments.
About QIAGEN
QIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands holding company, is the leading global provider of sample and assay technologies. Sample technologies are used to isolate and process DNA, RNA and proteins from biological samples such as blood or tissue. Assay technologies are used to make such isolated bio-molecules visible. QIAGEN has developed and markets more than 500 sample and assay products as well as automated solutions for such consumables. The company provides its products to molecular diagnostics laboratories, academic researchers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and applied testing customers for purposes such as forensics, animal or food testing and pharmaceutical process control. QIAGEN's assay technologies include one of the broadest panels of molecular diagnostic tests available worldwide. This panel includes the digene HPV Test, which is regarded as a "gold standard" in testing for high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer, as well as a broad suite of solutions for infectious disease testing and companion diagnostics. QIAGEN employs more than 3,500 people in over 30 locations worldwide. Further information about QIAGEN can be found at
http://www.qiagen.com/.QIAGEN SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, including statements about our products, markets, strategy and operating results. Such statements are based on current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, those associated with: management of growth and international operations (including currency fluctuations and logistics), variability of our operating results, commercial development of our markets (including applied testing, clinical and academic research, proteomics, women's health/HPV testing, molecular diagnostics, personalized healthcare and companion diagnostics), our relationships with customers, suppliers and strategic partners, competition, changes in technology, fluctuations in demand, regulatory requirements, identifying, developing and producing integrated products differentiated from our competitors' products, market acceptance of our products, and integration of acquired technologies and businesses. For further information, refer to our filings with the SEC, including our latest Form 20-F. Information in this release is as of the date of the release, and we undertake no duty to update this information unless required by law.
Contacts:
Dr. Solveigh Mahler Director Investor Relations QIAGEN N.V. +49-2103-29-11710 e-mail:
solveigh.maehler@qiagen.com Albert F. Fleury Director Corporate Finance and Investor Relations North America QIAGEN N.V. +1-301-944-7028 e-mail:
albert.fleury@qiagen.com Dr. Thomas Theuringer Associate Director Public Relations QIAGEN GmbH +49-2103-29-11826 email:
thomas.theuringer@qiagen.com Joanne Cross Marketing Manager DxS - a QIAGEN Company Phone: +44(0)7540-121-673 Email:
joanne.cross@qiagen.comContacts: Dr. Solveigh Mahler, Director Investor Relations, QIAGEN N.V., +49-2103-29-11710, e-mail:
solveigh.maehler@qiagen.com; Albert F. Fleury, Director Corporate Finance and Investor Relations North America, QIAGEN N.V., +1-301-944-7028, e-mail:
albert.fleury@qiagen.com; Dr. Thomas Theuringer, Associate Director Public Relations, QIAGEN GmbH, +49-2103-29-11826, email:
thomas.theuringer@qiagen.com; Joanne Cross, Marketing Manager, DxS - a QIAGEN Company, Phone: +44(0)7540-121-673, Email:
joanne.cross@qiagen.com
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