Epigenomics AG Licenses Biomarker for Colorectal Cancer Blood Test to ARUP Laboratories
ARUP to commercialize laboratory-developed blood test based on Epigenomics' mSEPT9 biomarker to aid in the early detection of colorectal cancer
Epigenomics AG announced that it signed a non-exclusive licensing agreement for its proprietary DNA methylation biomarker Septin 9 (mSEPT9) with Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. based ARUP Laboratories, Inc. (ARUP). Under the agreement, ARUP has obtained rights to use the mSEPT9 biomarker to develop a molecular-based laboratory test that can help physicians detect colorectal cancer based on a patient's blood sample.
"Having a simple blood test that can detect colorectal cancer will be a major step in the fight against this dreadful disease, which is often curable when caught in the early stages," said Ronald L. Weiss, MD, MBA, ARUP Executive Vice President of Health Policy, External Affairs, and Corporate Communication. "Patient compliance in the U.S with current colorectal cancer screening guidelines leaves a lot to be desired. All too often, patients fail to undergo a colonoscopy or conduct other types of colorectal cancer screenings because they find these methods invasive, unpleasant or costly. A blood test for detecting colorectal cancer, will be a convenient option that complements other screening methods."
ARUP is the second commercial laboratory in the U.S.A. to non-exclusively license the mSEPT9 biomarker from Epigenomics with the goal of commercializing a laboratory-developed blood test.
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