Precision for Medicine Acquires Leading Immune Monitoring And Epigenetic Technology Service Provider Epiontis

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BETHESDA, Md. and BERLIN, Oct. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Precision for Medicine, part of the Precision Medicine Group, announced today it has acquired Berlin-based Epiontis GmbH, a next-generation European specialty laboratory providing immune monitoring services through a novel, patent-protected epigenetic platform. The acquisition adds Epiontis's unique epigenetic technology and expertise to Precision's robust suite of immune monitoring services for clinical trials, bringing additional value and capabilities to clients. It expands Precision's growing global footprint and further positions the company as a scientific frontrunner in the rapidly expanding precision medicine space.

With headquarters in the Science and Technology Park Adlershof—Epiontis has built and expanded upon its service offerings to now include validated epigenetic immune cell assays for clinical trial immune monitoring. Currently, Epiontis services 17 of the top 20 global pharmaceutical companies, and has contributed its expertise to nearly 100 clinical trials heavily focused in the areas of autoimmune and immuno-oncology.

Today's leading developers of autoimmune and cancer drugs face unique challenges regarding the global monitoring of immune cells in research and clinical studies. The Epiontis scientific team is well regarded for its ability to identify epigenetic marker regions of high specificity, perform biological validation of the marker, develop a qPCR-based assay for the marker, and then validate the assay for accuracy, specificity, stability, and robustness. These assays eliminate a major hurdle for global studies: the need for cryopreservation and complex sample processing. This growing list of proprietary assay panels, combined with Precision's expertise in specialty lab services, including advanced flow cytometry for immune monitoring, global biospecimen collection, and bioanalytical services, provides an offering to clients that is comprehensive and distinct from all competitors.

"The acquisition of Epiontis allows Precision to significantly expand upon our immune monitoring capabilities, and their technology provides a faster, economically viable, and easier global solution for immune monitoring under a variety of scenarios," said Precision for Medicine President Chad Clark. "In addition, having recently opened Precision offices in Paris and Edinburgh, Epiontis' Berlin operation provides us an additional operational base for Europe  as we continue our international expansion."

"We are very excited to be joining the Precision for Medicine family," explains Dr. Sven Olek, co-founder and chief executive officer of Epiontis. "Becoming part of Precision allows us to provide our clients with a complete, customized immune monitoring solution, and also gives us the opportunity to introduce our proprietary epigenetic technology and expertise to a broader customer base. Together, Precision and Epiontis are able to offer innovative life sciences clients many options for immune monitoring, including our patented epigenetic markers and global flow cytometry capabilities."

With the addition of Epiontis, Precision continues to build the infrastructure, technology, and specialized scientific personnel required for new approaches to precision medicine drug development on a global scale, remaining at the forefront of the worldwide shift to precision medicine. 

About Precision for Medicine
Precision for Medicine supports life sciences companies in the use of biomarkers essential to targeting patients more precisely and effectively. Precision applies novel biomarker approaches to clinical research that take advantage of the latest advancements in science and technology, focusing predominantly around genomics, immune-response assays, global specimen logistics, biomarker analytics, and companion diagnostics solutions. Precision for Medicine is part of Precision Medicine Group, with more than 900 employees in over 15 locations in the US, Canada, and Europe. For more information, visit precisionformedicine.com.

About Epiontis
Epiontis was founded in 2003 and has its headquarters in Berlin, Germany. Using a novel molecular diagnostics technology, Epiontis offers an immune cell monitoring service as well as customized development of epigenetic assays. Epiontis currently services 17 of the top 20 global pharmaceutical companies as clients, and has contributed its expertise to nearly 100 clinical trials heavily focused in the areas of autoimmune and immuno-oncology. For more information, visit epiontis.com. 

SOURCE Precision for Medicine