Tag Archive for: GynTect

Cancer diagnostics of the future thanks to highly informative biomarkers

The team of oncgnostics

oncgnostics at Medica 2022:

  • Cervical cancer screening test conquers China

  • Establishing early detection of head and neck tumours

  • First study results for screening test for vulva and vaginal cancer

  • At the joint stand of medways e.V. in Hall 15, Stand K10

Jena / Düsseldorf, November 08, 2022 – oncgnostics GmbH will present its technology, products and current study results at the largest trade fair in the medical sector. The company is an expert in molecular cancer diagnostics. Life-saving early detection is possible with the cancer tests developed by oncgnostics, which are based on patented biomarks.

Cancer diagnostics through biotechnology

DNA methylations form the basis of oncgnostics’ work. Specific changes in the DNA methylation pattern occur when cancer develops or is already present. The tests from oncgnostics detect these changes.

Innovation in cervical cancer screening

GynTect is the company’s first product. Used in cervical cancer diagnostics, the test is already being marketed in several European countries. In August of this year, it was approved in China, where it is marketed under exclusive licence. It is the first methylation test for triage of HPV-positive cases on the Chinese market.

The methylation test in cervical cancer screening

A cervical smear, as it is also taken for thin-layer cytology or the HPV test, is sufficient for the procedure. The test is a decision-making aid on how best to proceed after an abnormal screening result. GynTect not only allows to detect whether a tumour is already present, but also detects cervical lesions that may develop into cervical cancer – years in advance. Thus, risk assessment is greatly facilitated: on the one hand, unnecessary, premature operations can be avoided, and on the other hand, the chance for early and thus promising therapeutic measures can be increased.

ScreenYu Gyn is a further development of GynTect. The diagnostic test, which was CE IVD-approved in May this year, uses only one methylated DNA region, whereas GynTect detects six methylated DNA regions (biomarkers). This makes it particularly well suited for automation. With a simplified and automated test version, countries and regions can be served in which cervical cancer screening has hardly taken place so far. Most new cases of cervical cancer and most deaths due to the disease occur in these countries.

Establish early detection for head and neck tumours

Head and neck tumours are among the five most common cancers worldwide. They often develop unnoticed for a long time because the symptoms are usually unspecific for those affected. So far, no early diagnosis has been established for this group of tumours. oncgnostics is developing a test to change this. In this test, DNA methylation markers identified in cancer tissue and validated by oncgnostics, are detected in the patient’s saliva. The test will initially be used in post-surgical follow-up, as tumour markers that already appear in the primary tumour are also detectable in re-emerging tumours.

Vulva and vaginal cancer: early detection also overdue

Early detection of vulvar and vaginal cancer is also difficult due to non-specific symptoms or no symptoms at all. Initial studies have confirmed that a methylation test with the same biomarkers as for cervical cancer may also be useful here. oncgnostics is continuing to work on diagnostics for the early detection of vulvar and vaginal cancer on this basis.

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About oncgnostics GmbH:

Jena-based oncgnostics GmbH specialises in the early detection of cancer. Its tests detect changes that are characteristic of the DNA of cancer cells. The company, founded in 2012, launched GynTect in 2015. In the context of early cervical cancer detection, the test clarifies whether cervical cancer or precancerous lesions are already present. oncgnostics GmbH is also conducting research into screening tests for other types of cancer. Detailed information is available at www.oncgnostics.com/en.

 

 

Free image material: www.oncgnostics.com/en/downloads

 

Contact:

oncgnostics GmbH

Löbstedter Str. 41

07749 Jena

Germany

Phone: +493641/5548550

pr(at)oncgnostics.com

www.oncgnostics.com

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Cancer prevention remains a matter of the heart: Biotech company oncgnostics celebrates 10th anniversary

team of oncgnostics celebrates 10th anniversary

The company oncgnostics GmbH, founded in 2012, already launched its first product in 2015: the diagnostic test for cervical cancer “GynTect”. This is now sold in over ten countries in Europe and Asia. In addition, oncgnostics conducts research in the field of diagnostics for head and neck cancer. The company is growing steadily and has around 20 employees, all of whom have remained loyal to the company to date.

 

The success story of oncgnostics GmbH began in February 2012. “We realized that we wanted to use our research results obtained at the University Women’s Hospital Jena beyond science. Cervical cancer screening was in urgent need of improvement – and we had a solution,” CEO Dr. Alfred Hansel describes the original idea. Thus, a small team around CEO Dr. Martina Schmitz and Dr. Alfred Hansel spun off from the Gynecological Molecular Biology Department of the University Hospital Jena (UKJ).

Detecting cancer with the help of biomarkers

Core expertise of the company are molecular biology markers that can be used to reliably detect cancer cells. These markers are bundled for specific tests. For example, in the case of abnormal gynecological findings, the GynTect test clarifies whether cervical cancer is developing or whether the abnormalities will heal on their own.

The company is also conducting research into the early detection of head and neck tumors. Unlike cervical cancer screening, there is still no regulated procedure for this disease. The Jena-based company is involved in the development of a test designed to detect cancers of the mouth and throat.

Oncgnostics’ overall goal is to improve cancer screening and prevent unnecessary cases. “Cervical cancer shouldn’t even exist anymore with today’s diagnostic and screening options,” said Dr. Martina Schmitz, CSO.

Important support from science and investors

“Without our investors and partners, we would not be where we are today. That is why we would like to express our thanks to everyone who has supported us over the past ten years,” adds Dr. Martina Schmitz. The company continues to be supported by the University Hospital Jena, other partners from the scientific community, and investors. Private investors as well as retail investors have also invested in the company in two very successful crowdinvesting campaigns.

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Pilot study: Cancer screening from home is possible

"HPV-Vorsorge durch Selbsttests in die eigene Hand nehmen" - Auf dem Bild sind Hände zu sehen, in denen die Buchstaben für HPV liegen.shutterstock.com 1936727821

A large proportion of women who develop cervical cancer in high-income countries such as Germany do not regularly attend screening. This is particularly alarming, as cancer screenings have become much less frequent since the onset of the corona pandemic. A study by Hannover Medical School and the biotechnology company oncgnostics GmbH is testing self-tests as a possible solution to reach more people. Cervical cancer also has the best chance of recovery if detected early. The study results show that specific screening tests can be performed at home in the future.

Procedure of the pilot study

For the study, 87 patients at the colposcopy clinic of Hannover each took a smear test on themselves. A gynecological specialist then took another smear. In the first step, the samples were tested for HPV infections present. The GynTect cervical cancer test from oncgnostics was then used for all samples. This determines whether the existing HPV infection heals on its own or can develop into cancer. No further smear test is necessary for this. The test is carried out in the laboratory with the sample at hand.

In 95.5 percent of the self-smears, the result of the HPV tests matched those of the samples taken by the doctors. This is seen as a good sign that women could self-sample for this test in the future. For the GynTect test, the agreement between self-tests and physician samples was lower.

Detection with independently taken samples can work

“GynTect works by using specific biomarkers. It examines the DNA of cells in a smear and raises the alarm if there are  changes typical of cancer. The study suggests that precancerous lesions as well as cancer can be detected well even with samples taken independently. Of course, the method needs to be further optimised to increase the hit rate. We are also currently working on the detection of the markers in urine samples. We are obtaining promising initial results. In addition, urine samples are much easier for the patient to take than swabs,” explains Martina Schmitz, Managing Director of oncgnostics GmbH and co-author of the study.

For further research and development on the self-tests, the Jena-based biotechnology company continues to cooperate with the Hannover Medical School and two research institutions in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Large-scale study “HaSCo”

Based on the promising results of this feasibility study, GynTect will be used as a clarification test for HPV-positive self-tests in the large-scale HaSCo study of the Hanover Medical School, which will start later this year and include >20,000 subjects.

Almost every adult becomes infected with HPV at some point in their lives without realising it. It is estimated that six million women in Germany become infected with HPV each year. Each year, several hundred thousand of them are diagnosed with abnormalities, some of which could develop into cervical cancer. About 4,300 develop cancer, which in turn kills about 1,600 affected individuals.

 

Picture: MIA Studio / Shutterstock.com

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International sales partnership with EUROIMMUN for Distribution of GynTect

Vertriebspartnerschaft zwischen der oncgnostics GmbH und der EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AGoncgnostics GmbH Susann Nuernberger / EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG

Biotechnology company oncgnostics GmbH is announcing a collaboration with the international diagnostics group EUROIMMUN, a PerkinElmer company. As part of the cooperation, EUROIMMUN will sell the cervical cancer test from oncgnostics GmbH, Gyn-Tect, in the European countries of Portugal, Italy, Turkey and Poland. Also the test is expected to be approved and on sale in Canada by the end of 2021.

The partnership is a valuable addition to the product portfolios of both companies: For seven years, EUROIMMUN has been successfully selling the EUROArray HPV, a molecular genetic test for the detection and complete genotyping of human papilloma viruses (HPV). The EUROIMMUN test can detect an HPV infection in women with a very high degree of certainty. However, not every HPV infection leads to a serious illness as most women with an HPV infection remain healthy and the infection heals on its own. Yet, no HPV test can predict this development. At this point the GynTect test developed by oncgnostics GmbH comes in. The innovation of this test enables the reliable detection of DNA methylations, which are only present in the development of cancer cells. Thus, a malignant change that can develop into cancer can be detected by this solution.

“With the addition of GynTect to our product range, EUROIMMUN now has a complete package for cervical cancer diagnostics,” said Dr. Wolfgang Schlumberger, CEO of EUROIMMUN. “The EUROArray HPV helps to estimate the individual cancer risk of patients thanks to the clear identification of 30 HPV subtypes. With GynTect, this risk can now be further specified with an additional step. A negative GynTect test can give many women with a proven HPV infection a sign of relief at an early stage.”

Oncgnostics produces GynTect tests in its own production laboratory in Germany. They are sold internationally through EUROIMMUN to laboratories that carry out and evaluate the tests locally in the various countries.

Additional international cooperations

Beside the first four EU countries and Canada, GynTect will be gradually introduced into other EU markets. “We consider the fight against cervical cancer as a global challenge. In addition to the nationwide vaccination, precise preventive tests play a major role. We are very pleased that this partnership gives us access to the widely developed EUROIMMUN sales network. By making new contacts with laboratories and physicians, more and more women are benefiting from the advantages of GynTect. We are building on this and are looking forward to working together,” says Dr. Martina Schmitz, managing director of oncgnostics GmbH.

 

GynTect is a molecular biological test that detects six areas of the human genome that are only methylated when cancer cells develop. Thus, GynTect recognises malignant changes in patients.

Mehr Informationen

 

About EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG:

As one of the world’s leading manufacturers in the field of medical laboratory diagnostics, EUROIMMUN stands for innovation. More than 3,200 employees in 17 countries develop, produce and distribute test systems that can be used for diagnosing diseases, as well as software and automation solutions for applying and evaluating the tests. Laboratories in over 150 countries use EUROIMMUN products to diagnose autoimmune and infectious diseases as well as allergies and to carry out gene analyses. EUROIMMUN has been part of the US company PerkinElmer Inc. since 2018.

For more information, see www.euroimmun.de/en/

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Oncgnostics Expands Business Relations in Asia

The oncgnostics managers together with Geneo Dx managers and colleagues.

Approval for cervical cancer screening test in the Chinese market expected in early 2020 / First contacts in Japan

Shanghai/Yokohama/Tokyo/Jena, 1 November 2019 –Our business partner in China, GeneoDx, is about to get approval to commercialise GynTect in the Chinese market. This issue was discussed at a business meeting with representatives from oncgnostics GmbH in Shanghai.

Our Chinese business partner GeneoDx, a SINOPHARM subsidiary, presented oncgnostics’ managing directors, Dr Martina Schmitz and Dr Alfred Hansel, in Shanghai with the results of their recently completed approval study for the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for the molecular biological test GynTect. The approval of GynTect for the Chinese market is expected in early 2020. The test allows reliable and rapid diagnosis of cervical cancer and its precancerous stages.

‘Our partners have conducted a study with approximately 1,300 samples. Results look very promising. We are optimistic that GeneoDx will receive approval for GynTect without any problems. Moreover, the study will be followed by high-ranking publications,’ states oncgnostics’ managing director Martina Schmitz.

Dr Alfred Hansel visited BioJapan in Yokohama, Japan. At the conference, he cultivated existing contacts, which he had made during a visit to MedTech Japan in Tokyo earlier this year. He also held discussions with other companies on the marketing opportunities of GynTect in Japan and other countries in Southeast Asia.

The Asian market is interesting for oncgnostics not only with regard to GynTect. International partnerships are also being sought for current pipeline projects, in particular the development of assays in the field of head and neck tumour diagnostics.

About oncgnostics:

Jena’s oncgnostics GmbH specialises in the early detection of cancer. Its tests detect changes that are characteristic of cancer cells’ DNA. Founded in 2012, the company launched GynTect in 2015. As part of its programme for the early detection of cervical cancer, the test clarifies whether cervical cancer or precancerous lesions are already present. In April 2017, GeneoDx and oncgnostics signed an exclusive license agreement for GynTect in China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

Oncgnostics GmbH is also conducting research into tests for the clarification of other types of cancer. Detailed information is available at www.oncgnostics.com.

About GynTect:

GynTect is a molecular biological test that identifies six areas of the human genome that are methylated only during the development of cancer cells. Thus, GynTect recognises malignant changes in patients.

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Early detection test GynTect® now available for Roche Diagnostics QPCR system

cobas Z480 Analyzer von Roche Diagnostics oncgnostics GmbH

Jena, 20. February, 2019 – The test for early detection of cervical cancer GynTect® may now also be performed on the cobas Z480 analyzer, a widely used quantitative PCR (QPCR) system from Roche Diagnostics. This is now possible through an extension of the GynTect® CE IVD mark (CE mark for in vitro diagnostics). The biotech company oncgnostics GmbH is developer and provider of GynTect®.

GynTect® allows a fast and reliable clarification, if a patient with abnormal Pap smear findings or an HPV infection, is about to develop or already has cervical cancer. GynTect® allows to detect modified, esp. methylated DNA regions. Methylation of these DNA regions specifically occurs in cervical cancer.

Performance of GynTect using the Cobas Z480
Two steps are required for the performance of GynTect®. In the first step a chemical treatment with bisulphite fixates the DNA methylation of the diagnostic material. For the detection of the marker regions a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is required. The cobas Z480 Analyzer by Roche Diagnostics allows the performance of such a diagnostic PCR. Based on the data obtained in the PCR, the GynTect® results are derived. Only originally methylated DNA regions present in the sample are amplified during the PCR. This procedure is termed methylation-specific PCR (MSP).

More laboratories may perform GynTect® now
“By now GynTect® could only be performed on the ABI7500 Real-Time PCR system from Life Technologies. Extension of the CE IVD mark now allows to run the test on the cobas Z480 PCR system as well. With its widespread availability many more laboratories now can perform GynTect® without any additional expenses”, Alfred Hansel, co-founder and CEO of oncgnostics said.

You may find free press material here:
www.oncgnostics.com/downloads
vimeo.com/243256803

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Oncgnostics GmbH Presents New Clinical Data on GynTect® Precision Diagnostics at EUROGIN 2018

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Oncgnostics will discuss new clinical data with gynaecological key opinion leaders at EUROGIN 2018

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA, November 29, 2018 — Oncgnostics GmbH presents new clinical data on GynTect® Precision Diagnostics for triage of unclear cervical cancer screening tests.

Oncgnostics GmbH, a Jena/Germany based company, has developed GynTect® for precision detection of cervical cancer. GynTect® was tested and validated in clinical trials on more than 3,000 samples with a remarkable detection score of 100% in all cervical cancer cases. Moreover, GynTect® identifies all relevant pre-cancerous lesions due to its first-of-a-kind prognostic value.

“We have concluded further clinical trials on the performance of GynTect® in comparison to alternative cervical cancer triage approaches. These results are very convincing and we are happy to present them in 5 talks at the EUROGIN 2018 conference in Lisbon next week”, states Dr. Alfred Hansel, Oncgnostics Chief Executive Officer.

Together with CSO Dr. Martina Schmitz and three Oncgnostics R&D specialists for cervical cancer and head-and-neck cancer diagnostics, Oncgnostics will discuss the new clinical data with gynecological key opinion leaders at Oncgnostics booth for precision cancer diagnostics.

Oncgnostics technology has been exclusively licensed out in 2017 to Sinopharm Group for the greater China region.

Biotech Alliances International Inc., a Silicon Valley-based healthcare-focused investment bank, is serving as the lead investment banker to Oncgnostics globalization and partnering strategy. Meetings with Oncgnostics Management Team can be coordinated at EUROGIN 2018 or JPM2019.

 

About Oncgnostics GmbH

Oncgnostics GmbH, founded in early 2012 as a spin-off from the Jena University women’s hospital, is a molecular diagnostics company specializing in cancer diagnostics. Oncgnostics tests target epigenetic changes, so-called DNA methylations, that typically occur in cancer cells. The patented biomarkers, which are evaluated using a specific algorithm, are the core of the products and provide the basis for the company’s activities.

About Biotech Alliances International Inc.

Biotech Alliances International Inc. is a San Francisco-based investment bank serving life sciences companies, private equity, and venture capital funds. It provides independent financial and strategic advice including corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, partnering & licensing, and strategic consulting.

Dr. Franck Brinkhaus
Biotech Alliances International Inc
+1 650-868-8511

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Cervical Cancer Screening: oncgnostics Closes further Investment Round

Das oncgnostics-Teamoncgnostics GmbH

Jena, October 17, 2018 – The Thuringian molecular diagnostics company oncgnostics, which quickly and successfully closed a 750,000 Euros crowd-investing round on Seedmatch early in 2018, now announces the closing of another similarly sized round. oncgnostics has developed the cervical cancer diagnostics test GynTect®, and a private investor circle now invests together with the  current institutional investor beteiligungsmanagement thüringen (bm-t). The company will use the total investment for performing further clinical trials and for intensifying its international marketing efforts.

 

At the end of 2017, oncgnostics started a second campaign for its diagnostic test GynTect via the crowd-investing platform Seedmatch. It took only 2.5 hours until the funding reached the threshold of 100,000 EUR, and only three weeks to reach a total sum of 750,000EUR, making : it the fastest crowd-investing campaign for a life sciences company in Germany. Now this sum will be doubled by beteiligungsmanagement thüringen (bm-t), which is already a key shareholder at oncgnostics, and by a circle of private investors.

 

“oncgnostics´ GynTect test addresses a potential billion-dollar market. This investment will allow the company to build targeted sales and marketing efforts in order to better access and develop this attractive market. Additionally, the company has a compelling technology pipeline, which will be further advanced with this capital. We´re very pleased to join this investment round“, Kevin Reeder, CEO at bm-t, stated.

 

Better options for early diagnosis

GynTect clarifies early and reliably, if a patient is about to develop or even already has developed a cervical lesion that may advance to cancer. This improves the risk assessment for cervical cancer screening: on the one hand, unnecessary and overly-hasty surgeries can be avoided. On the other hand, the chance for early and successful treatment is improved. Patients also lose their anxiety about unclear results based on the current screening and instead gain fast certainty.

 

“We are very pleased that our concept of using epigenetic markers in cancer diagnostics together with the market potential of our first test GynTect convinced new investors to join oncgnostics. Their investment enables us to improve our market opportunities not only through enhanced international marketing, but also through further product developments”, Dr. Alfred Hansel, CEO of oncgnostics, says.

 

Past and future developments

The first steps for international marketing were made with an exclusive out-licensing of GynTect to a Chinese partner for the Chinese market as well as with first contracts for distributing the test in selected European countries (Portugal, Slovakia and the Czech Republic). Further strategic and distribution partnerships are now sought, especially for the US market, but also for additional European markets. In December 2017, the first patients were enrolled in a prospective clinical trial, with a three-year duration and across ten gynaecological practices and clinical centers, with the aim of further demonstrating the prognostic power of GynTect . Another trial investigating the psychological burden of women with abnormal Pap smear and/or positive HPV test results was recently completed, and its results are scheduled to be published by the end of this year.

 

Together with clinical partners, oncgnostics is developing diagnostic tests for other cancers. The Thuringian company is currently validating epigenetic markers for use in head and neck cancer, and it is also targeting tests that will help to improve timely detection of ovarian cancer.

 

About oncgnostics GmbH:

oncgnostics GmbH was founded in 2012 from a university research group at the Jena University Gynaecology Department. As a molecular diagnostics firm, the Jena start-up has specialised in the early diagnosis of cancer. The company´s tests demonstrate characteristic epigenetic changes in cancer cells, known as DNA methylations. The patented biomarkers identified with specific algorithms form the central core of the products and are the foundation of the firm´s technological assets.

 

 

Free pictorial materials for dissemination may be found at: https://www.oncgnostics.com/downloads

https://tinyurl.com/oncgnostics

https://vimeo.com/243256803

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Test for Uterine Cancer in Portugal: Biotech Firm oncgnostics Grants Exclusive Licence for Cancer Screening Test

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Portugal Partnership

Lisbon/Jena, April 16th 2018 – Speculum S.A. is the exclusive licence partner of oncgnostics GmbH for the screening test GynTect® in Portugal. The test is designed to further specify abnormal results in screening examinations and to help determine the best treatment approach.

 

In January, the biotech firm oncgnostics GmbH from Jena (Germany), concluded an exclusive sales partnership for the GynTect screening test in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Now, Speculum S.A. in Portugal has become the newest sales partner to obtain an exclusive licence. As a result, Portugal becomes the fourth European country where GynTect will be offered.

 

Speculum S.A. is well positioned in Portugal

The Team of Speculum S.A. in Portugal

The Team of Speculum S.A. in Portugal. Source: Speculum S.A.

 

 

 

 

 

Speculum S.A. sells a range of medical devices focused on gynaecology. The firm is very extensively networked with professionals and leading figures in the area of women’s health. In addition, LAP Porto, the largest Portuguese diagnostic laboratory in the area of women’s health, cooperates with Speculum S.A.

Moreover, the company was mainly involved in the introduction of thin-layer cytology, an improved Pap smear method, which now has over 50% of the market share in Portugal. Since GynTect can be performed based on these improved Pap smears, the prospects are very good for the market introduction in Portugal.

 

GynTect provides rapid and reliable results

GynTect, the molecular biology test developed by oncgnostics, offers an early diagnosis for patients with abnormal Pap test results or evidence of human papillomavirus infection (HPV) to determine the presence of a treatable cervical cancer precursor and the likelihood of developing cervical carcinoma. The test provides rapid and reliable results and gives affected women certain guidance about how to proceed in the face of an abnormal prior examination in the best way. GynTect substantially simplifies risk assessment in the early detection of cervical cancer: on the one hand, it helps to avoid unnecessary premature surgery, and on the other hand, it can increase the chances for successful therapeutic interventions.

 

High death rates for cervical cancer in Portugal

The morbidity rate for cervical cancer in Portugal is higher than in Germany. In Portugal, 9 of 100,000 women develop the disease, compared to 8.2 per 100,000 in Germany. In Portugal, cervical cancer is the second-most common form of cancer among women between ages 15 and 44 years, whereas in Germany, the frequency of occurrence for women of this age puts is in 3rd place. However, the difference in death rates is far greater: in Portugal, 54% of all patients with cervical cancer die of the disease, whereas in Germany, the rate is about one out of three.

“By means of early recognition of cervical cancer, effective treatment can be performed and further complications can be prevented. With GynTect, we are counting on an effective measure in the fight against cervical cancer and its sequelae”, states Antonio Ferreira, Managing Director of Speculum S.A. in Lisbon.

 

Further partnerships planned

Europe-wide CE-IVD licensing for GynTect took place in 2015, opening the way to European partnerships. In the past year, oncgnostics also concluded an exclusive licensing agreement for the Chinese market with GeneoDx, a subsidiary firm of the state-owned Sinopharm Group.

Further partnerships for the internationalisation of GynTect are in negotiation.

 

 

 

About oncgnostics GmbH:

The oncgnostics GmbH was developed in 2012 from a university research group at the Jena University Gynaecology Department. As a molecular diagnostics firm, the Jena start-up has specialised in the early diagnosis of cancer. The tests demonstrate characteristic epigenetic changes in the cancer cells, known as DNA methylations. The patented biomarkers identified with specific algorithms form the central core of the products and are the foundation of the firm.

 

 

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and: www.oncgnostics.com/downloads

 

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Reliable test for cervical cancer triage now available in Slovakia and the Czech Republic: Biotech company oncgnostics concludes an exclusive partnership with the MEDIREX group

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Medirex team in Bratislava

Jena, January 31th 2018 – oncgnostics GmbH partners with the MEDIREX Group. MEDIREX thus holds the exclusive rights for marketing the test for early and reliable detection of cervical cancer, GynTect®, for Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

 

Following their successful crowd-funding via the platform Seedmatch, oncgnostics GmbH takes the next step for internationalization: the company closed a partnership with the MEDIREX Group. The Slovak laboratory diagnostics group has more than 1700 employees, and is the biggest player in lab diagnostics, with >50% market share in the Slovak Republic. The contract has a term for three years, with option for extension.

 

GynTect gives certainty

The molecular test GynTect developed by oncgnostics helps to clarify early and reliably if a patient diagnosed with an abnormal Pap smear or/and with an HPV infection (already) has or develops a cervical precancerous lesion requiring treatment.

“With GynTect we intend to improve the quality of cervical cancer screening in the Czech and the Slovak Republic. GynTect provides fast and reliable diagnostic results and thus women who are affected, certainty how to proceed after abnormal findings from earlier diagnostic measures,“ Jozef Gavlas, CEO of MEDIREX Lab diagnostics states, said.

GynTect drastically improves the risk assessment in cervical cancer screening: on the one hand it allows to avoid hasty and unnecessary surgeries, on the other hand it increases the chance for early, successful treatment measures.

 

Cervical cancer in numbers: Germany, Czech Republic and Slovak Republic

In Germany, ca. 5000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year. Thus 8.2 of 100,000 women get a diagnosis annually. In the Czech Republic and in Slovakia, the disease rates are much higher, at 14.1 and 16.1 of 100,000 women annually, respectively. In all three countries, every third woman with cancer diagnosis dies.

Regular participation of women in cervical cancer screening programs, which are offered in all three countries, may contribute to significantly reduce the morbidity. HPV-induced changes may be detected early, and appropriate measures may be taken. Nevertheless only ca. 50% of all women participate regularly in the annual screening in Germany and the Czech Republic. In Slovakia, where triennial cervical cancer screening is implemented, even less than 50% participate regularly.

 

Further partnerships are planned

GynTect already has CE IVD mark for use in laboratories Europe-wide. Thus, the MEDIREX group immediately may start distribution as well as the use of the test in its own labs. CE IVD mark was received in 2015. In 2017, oncgnostics was able to close an exclusive license agreement for marketing in China with GeneoDx, an affiliate of the governmental Sinopharm Group.

Further partnerships within and outside of Europe are currently negotiated, with the aim to conclude agreements in 2018. The crowd-funding campaign, which very recently was concluded successfully, provided oncgnostics with 750,000 €, which significantly will contribute to plan, negotiate and close further agreements.

 

About oncgnostics

oncgnostics GmbH is a spin-off from the university women’s hospital Jena and was founded early in 2012. As a molecular diagnostic company, oncgnostics is specialized on cancer diagnostics. Oncgnostics tests target epigenetic changes, the so-called DNA methylations, that typically occur in cancer cells. The patented biomarkers, which are evaluated using a specific algorithm, are the core of the products and provide the basis for the company’s activities.

 

 

Contact:

oncgnostics GmbH

Dr. Alfred Hansel

Geschäftsführer

Winzerlaer Str. 2 (Bioinstrumentezentrum)

DE-07745 Jena

Tel. +49 3641 508456

pr@oncgnostics.com

www.oncgnostics.com

 

Media Agentur

Tower PR

Mälzerstraße 3

07745 Jena

Tel. +49 3641 87611-80

oncgnostics@tower-pr.com

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