Clinical Genomics Pty Ltd and The Garvan Institute of Medical Research Enter into Licensing Agreement

SYDNEY, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Clinical Genomics Pty. Ltd (Sydney, Australia) and The Garvan Institute of Medical Research (Sydney, Australia) today announced that they have entered into a license agreement in relation to novel biomarkers discovered by scientists at the Garvan Institute. Under the terms of the agreement, Clinical Genomics obtains worldwide exclusive rights to the Garvan's proprietary cancer associated methylation DNA biomarkers for the diagnosis and or treatment of colorectal cancer. Clinical Genomics intends to expand its colorectal biomarker research program to evaluate these promising biomarkers in view of formulating a diagnostic test utilizing those biomarkers demonstrating clinical benefit for the early detection of colorectal cancer.

"Through this strategic licensing agreement with the Garvan Institute, we have complemented our existing technology portfolio and enhanced our ability to develop next generation products for diagnosing colorectal cancer at the earliest, most treatable stage," stated Dr. Lawrence LaPointe, Chief Executive Officer of Clinical Genomics. "We have also broadened our product development options for ourselves and our partners."

"This licensing agreement will allow Clinical Genomics to achieve the full diagnostic potential of the colorectal cancer biomarkers identified by our researchers," said Professor John Shine, Executive Director of Garvan. "Our hope is that the company will successfully develop a diagnostic tool that will be useful in the global effort to treat this common cancer."

About DNA Methylation

DNA methylation is a naturally occurring biological process involved in gene silencing. In 2005, a team led by Prof. Susan Clarke at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research published a paper in Nature Genetics describing a region of the human genome that shows much higher levels of methylation (silencing) in colorectal cancer compared to healthy controls.

About The Garvan Institute of Medical Research

The Garvan Institute of Medical Research is a world class institute focused on gene-based medical research with a strong focus on cancer and metabolic syndromes. World leading DNA methylation researcher Professor Susan Clark is the director of epigenetics research at the Garvan. Prof. Clark's track record includes pioneering the development of the bisulphite sequence protocol for detecting methylated cytosines now used around the world to measure gene silencing, discovery of the hyper-methylation of GSTP1 in prostate cancer and, more recently, contributions to understanding genome-wide methylation patterns in cancer.

About Clinical Genomics Pty Ltd

Clinical Genomics was formed in September 2006 to develop, extend, and commercialise molecular markers for colorectal disease. The enterprise includes experts in the science and business of colorectal cancer detection as well as institutional, commercial and clinical collaborative partners that understand this field. On top of a solid foundation of intellectual property protecting a panel of neoplasia biomarkers, CG has attracted significant financial and human resources to address this opportunity. By applying advanced biotechnology and computational technologies to study the complex changes in gene expression that occur as normal colorectal cells become cancerous, Clinical Genomics expect that an understanding of the molecular basis of the disease will enable them to provide products for improved diagnosis, management and possibly therapy of this disease.

SOURCE Clinical Genomics Pty Ltd