Sep 6, 2007
Epitomics and Applied Genomics announce IHC diagnostic and clinical biomarker collaboration

Burlingame, CA. Applied Genomics, Inc (AGI) and Epitomics, Inc (EPI) today announced that they have entered into a broad-based collaboration aimed at developing superior immunohistochemistry (IHC) reagents for diagnostic classification of cancer and clinical biomarker development. The collaboration will take advantage of Epitomics proprietary rabbit monoclonal antibody production expertise and AGI's clinical diagnostic assessment and development pipeline. Rabbit monoclonal antibodies are rapidly being recognized as excellent IHC reagents able to distinguish protein expression in solid tissue with consistent clarity. This collaboration aims to generate a comprehensive set of rabbit monoclonal antibodies useful for disease classification including biomarker targets previously identified by AGI that are differentially expressed in solid tumors as well as critical targets from oncology signaling pathways.

AGI will develop individual and combinations of markers into clinical diagnostic tools using its proprietary databases of staining results, tissue arrays with clinical follow up data, and broad network of clinical collaborators.

"We are pleased to partner with AGI to demonstrate and develop the diagnostic potential of our antibody pipeline." says Guo-Liang Lu, PhD, President and CEO of Epitomics. "AGI's proven success in discovery and development of novel IHC applications promises to help transform the way we diagnose cancer."

Douglas Ross, MD, PhD, and Chief Scientific Officer of AGI states, "We are excited to merge the outstanding IHC reagents coming from EPI's pipeline with AGI's clinical development expertise. EPI-manufactured rabbit monoclonals have already become standards of excellence in the IHC antibody field. Together we intend to improve the quality and amount of information available to oncologists about each patient's cancer, allowing clinicians to make informed decisions when choosing standard and new targeted therapies. "

Diagnostic licenses to products from this collaboration or inquiries about biomarker discovery opportunities are available directly from AGI and Epitomics Inc.

About Applied Genomics
Applied Genomics, Inc. develops targeted diagnostics to improve treatment for cancer patients. Translating insights from genomic analyses of cancer, AGI creates antibody-based diagnostic tests for classifying cancer facilitating rational patient care decisions and improving quality of life for all patients. AGI's most advanced product is MammostratT which is currently on the market and is useful for assessing the prognosis of estrogen receptor expressing, early stage breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

About Epitomics
Epitomics, Inc. is an emerging biotechnology company that is dedicated to developing breakthrough monoclonal antibody technology for research, diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The Company utilizes a unique and proprietary technology invented by scientists at Loyola University of Chicago and the University of California at San Francisco. Compared to currently available antibody technology on the market, such as mouse hybridoma, the Company's proprietary technology can generate RabMAbs more efficiently and that have superior binding affinity and bioactivity in a wide variety of biological assays. The Company is headquartered in Burlingame, California.