First patient included in DiaGenic and GE Healthcare project to develop a blood test for Mild Cognitive Impairment, associated with Alzheimer’s
Oslo – June 7th 2012: DiaGenic ASA [OSL:DIAG] today announced that the first patient with MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) was examined with [18F] Flutemetamol PET imaging at University of Lund Sweden in the DiaGenic and GE Healthcare Research Collaboration announced March 27th 2012. First patient examined with PET imaging means that the clinical phase of the collaboration has been initiated.
The study aims to develop a blood-based gene expression profile in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to be used in conjunction with PET imaging of the brain. The PET imaging agent, [18F] Flutemetamol, is currently in phase 3 development and is not yet approved by any regulatory authority.
The aim of the project is to recruit 180 individuals with amnestic MCI, together with 30 patients with clinically diagnosed mild to moderate AD.
About Alzheimer’s Disease
According to the Alzheimer's Association, deaths attributed to the disease have increased by more than 46% between 2000 and 2006. Today, in the US alone, 5.3 million people have Alzheimer’s disease, and the annual cost of the disease is $172 billion. It is the 6thleading cause of death, and its mortality rates are expected to rise as the baby boomer population ages. In last year’s World Alzheimer Report, Alzheimer’s Disease International estimated that there are 35.6 million people living with dementia worldwide in 2010, increasing to 65.7 million by 2030 and 115.4 million by 2050.
Contact:
Henrik Lund, CEO
Telephone: 47 90971219
e-mail: henrik.lund@diagenic.com
About DiaGenic ASA
DiaGenic seeks to create value for patients, partners, and investors by developing innovative and more patient friendly methods for early detection of diseases utilizing DiaGenic’s unique concept. The concept implies that a disease evokes systemic responses in the blood unique for the disease, and which can be measured by using blood samples.
DiaGenic is a world leader in identifying these gene expression signatures in peripheral blood and is focused on the development of biomarkers in the field of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. DiaGenic’s Alzheimer’s disease development program includes the CE marked diagnostic test ADtect®, for detection of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, and MCItect®which is under development for identifying patients with very early stages of Alzheimer’s disease (prodromal AD).
DiaGenic’s concept is protected through an extensive patent portfolio. DiaGenic promotes its products and services towards leading pharmaceutical, imaging and diagnostic companies. DiaGenic is located in Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. For more information please visit: www.diagenic.com