Orion Genomics Announces The Discovery And Validation Of Novel Breast Cancer Biomarkers

Orion Genomics announced today that
the company has identified and validated a suite of novel breast cancer
biomarkers, the most promising of which will be incorporated into the
company's diagnostic assays for the early detection of breast cancer and
the detection of breast cancer recurrence. Using proprietary genome-wide
microarray technology, the company was able to quickly identify a suite of
novel biomarkers in a panel consisting of normal and cancerous breast
tissues. In a second independent biomarker validation panel of more than
200 normal and cancerous breast tissues, over 50 biomarkers demonstrated
significant diagnostic potential, the most promising of which presented 90
percent sensitivity and 96 percent specificity. The results of Orion's
genome-wide, DNA methylation profiling were presented at the 29th Annual
San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium on December 14, 2006 in San Antonio,
Texas.



"Utilizing MethylScope(R), our genome-wide DNA methylation profiling
technology, we were able to quickly identify a suite of promising breast
cancer biomarkers that show significantly high sensitivity and specificity
and represent the most comprehensive and clinically accurate breast cancer
epigenetic biomarkers discovered to date," said Jorge A. Leon, Ph.D.,
Orion's acting Chief Scientific Officer. "We are now validating our most
promising biomarkers in blood serum from cancer-free and breast cancer
patients."



According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 211,000 new
cases of invasive breast cancer are expected in the U.S. in 2006 alone,
where approximately 40,000 patients are expected to die of their disease.
Early detection and treatment when the tumor is still small remains a key
factor in survival; however, early stage breast cancer typically produces
no noticeable symptoms, making early detection through conventional methods
challenging.



"Identifying cancer earlier in the disease progression timeline will
significantly improve treatment outcomes and patient survival, especially
in breast cancer," said Nathan Lakey, Chief Executive Officer and president
of Orion Genomics. "Our identification and validation of sensitive and
specific biomarkers for the detection of breast cancer will form the
foundation of our breast cancer diagnostic assays. These assays will
provide a diagnostic screening test, from blood or other easily collected
samples, of a large population for the early or recurrent signs of breast
cancer."



About Orion Genomics



Orion Genomics, the Second Code biotechnology company, develops
molecular diagnostic products to detect cancer at its earliest stages and
to aid in appropriate therapy selection. Orion's most advanced diagnostic
program is in breast cancer, where the company is developing a highly
sensitive and selective early screening test, followed by additional
epigenetic screening assays in lung, ovarian and colon cancers. Orion
Genomics is located in the Center for Emerging Technologies in St. Louis.
For more information, visit oriongenomics.


Orion Genomics

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