Biocartis Group NV: Biocartis and AstraZeneca Enter Into Agreement Aimed at Faster Lung Cancer Biomarker Results


PRESS RELEASE: 29 November 2018, 07:00 CET

 Biocartis and AstraZeneca Enter Into Agreement 
Aimed at Faster Lung Cancer Biomarker Results 
 

Mechelen, Belgium, 29 November 2018 - Biocartis Group NV (the 'Company' or 'Biocartis'), an innovative molecular diagnostics company (Euronext Brussels: BCART), today announces it has entered into an agreement with AstraZeneca, a global science-led biopharmaceutical company (LON: AZN), aimed at obtaining faster lung cancer molecular diagnostic biomarker results in Europe.
 
Pursuant to the agreement, a prospective lung cancer study with the Idylla(TM) EGFR Mutation Test (CE-IVD) will be conducted in selected European countries. This study is aimed at demonstrating how the unique features of the Idylla(TM) platform can overcome the current complexity and long turnaround time for lung cancer patients by delivering accurate biomarker results faster and easier. The study will be initiated at more than a dozen sites in Belgium, France, Germany and Italy.
 
Herman Verrelst, Chief Executive Officer of Biocartis, commented: "We are very excited to be collaborating with AstraZeneca in the area of lung cancer. With this prospective study, we expect to once again demonstrate the positive impact of delivering highly accurate biomarker results in a fast and easy way, to the benefit of the patients. For Biocartis, this is yet another important collaboration to support the further roll-out of our Idylla(TM) platform."
 
Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, contributing for 13% of all cancer types[1] and in total 85% of lung cancers are non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC)[2]. Many lung cancers are driven by mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which occur in 10-15% of NSCLC patients in the US and the EU, and 30-40% of NSCLC patients in Asia[3]. Current molecular testing of lung cancer samples is a complex process, also because obtaining high quality tissue samples is difficult. It can take up to several weeks[4] before results are generated. Moreover, many laboratories do not have the necessary infrastructure to perform complex molecular tests, resulting in laboratories sending out their samples to other testing facilities, causing long waiting times.
 
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More information:
Renate Degrave
Manager Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
e-mail   rdegrave@biocartis.com
tel         +32 15 631 729
mobile   +32 471 53 60 64
 
About Biocartis 
Biocartis (Euronext Brussels: BCART) is an innovative molecular diagnostics (MDx) company providing next generation diagnostic solutions aimed at improving clinical practice for the benefit of patients, clinicians, payers and industry. Biocartis' proprietary MDx Idylla(TM) platform is a fully automated sample-to-result, real-time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) system that offers accurate, highly reliable molecular information from virtually any biological sample in virtually any setting. Biocartis launched the Idylla(TM) platform in September 2014. Biocartis is developing and marketing a rapidly expanding test menu addressing key unmet clinical needs in oncology. This area represents the fastest growing segment of the MDx market worldwide. Today, Biocartis offers fifteen oncology tests and two infectious disease tests in Europe. More information: www.biocartis.com. Press Photo Library available here. Follow us on Twitter: @Biocartis_.
 
Biocartis and Idylla(TM) are registered trademarks in Europe, the United States and other countries. Biocartis trademark and logo and Idylla(TM) trademark and logo are used trademarks belonging to Biocartis. This press release is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in any jurisdiction where to do so would be unlawful. Any persons reading this press release should inform themselves of and observe any such restrictions. Biocartis takes no responsibility for any violation of any such restrictions by any person. Please refer to the product labeling for applicable intended uses for each individual Biocartis product. This press release does not constitute an offer or invitation for the sale or purchase of securities in any jurisdiction. No securities of Biocartis may be offered or sold in the United States of America absent registration with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
Forward-looking statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Biocartis expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this press release, except if specifically required to do so by law or regulation. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
 


[1] Navani et al., Lancet Respir Med (2015).
[2] American Cancer Society. Global Cancer Facts & Figures 2nd Edition (2011).
[4] Neal I. Lindeman et al. Molecular Testing Guideline for Selection of Lung Cancer Patients for EGFR and ALK Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors, Guideline from the College of American Pathologists, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, and Association for Molecular Pathology (2014).