NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Epigenomics today announced Companion Dx Reference Labs has obtained the rights to establish and commercialize a colorectal cancer test using the methylated Septin9 biomarker.
Under the terms of the deal, Companion Dx will be able to use Epigenomics' biomarker to create a blood-based, laboratory developed test, while Epigenomics is entitled to double-digit royalties on sales of the test. Other terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
"The addition of Septin9 to our offering of cancer related products will allow us to more effectively serve the Texas cancer testing market," Steve Blum, CEO of Companion Dx, said in a statement. "Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US, and we believe that the blood-based method to detect colorectal cancer in the currently non-compliant patient population will improve participation in screening and therefore save more lives in Texas."
Houston-based Companion Dx is a molecular diagnostic reference laboratory offering pharmacogenomic assays and cancer companion diagnostics.
Epigenomics has similar licensing agreements with Quest Diagnostics, ARUP Laboratories, and Warnex Medical Laboratories for use of the Septin 9 biomarker to develop tests. Abbott has a license to develop and commercialize IVD test kits, while Qiagen and Sysmex have acquired options to do so.
Epigenomics is in the midst of filing a premarket approval submission with the US Food and Drug Administration for its Epi proColon blood-based colorectal cancer screening test, which is based on the Septin9 biomarker.