LAUSANNE, Switzerland, February 12, 2015 – Molecular diagnostics company Novigenix
SA announced today it acquired Colox®, a new molecular blood test for the detection
of colorectal cancer and pre-cancerous lesions (adenomatous polyps).

Colox has been approved for sale in Europe, and has been launched commercially in
Switzerland. Novigenix aims to increase the availability of Colox in Switzerland and
Europe through partnerships.
Brian Hashemi, Executive Chairman of Novigenix SA, said: “Our vision is to support
physicians and the healthcare community in significantly reducing cancer mortality
through the early diagnosis and intervention of colorectal cancer. We are committed
to making Colox available to physicians and patients across Switzerland, followed by
expansion in other European countries. Colorectal cancer is today the third most lethal
cancer, but can be largely prevented if detected early by an accurate, reliable, and
convenient test such as Colox.”

Colox has been tested in a multi-center clinical study in Switzerland led by Professor
Gian Dorta, MD, in Internal Medicine Department, at the Service of Gastroenterology
and Hepatology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne (CHUV). “Colox
accurately and reliably detects both adenomatous polyps and early stages of
colorectal cancer with a convenient blood test that can be ordered as part of a
routine medical checkup. As a result Colox has the potential to dramatically increase
screening compliance and reduce the mortality rate from this deadly disease,” said
Professor Dorta.

Colox, originally developed by Diagnoplex SA, represents a new generation of cancer
diagnostic tests based on the response of the organism against the tumor. Peripheral
Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) are particularly responsive to growing
adenomatous polyps and colorectal carcinomas. Determining the expression of 29
genes in PBMCs provides a telltale sign of the early stages of colorectal cancer. Gene
expression data are interpreted by Novigenix’s proprietary algorithm which generates
the Colox test report. This algorithm is based on classifier combinations derived from
mathematical analytical methods that underpin the reliability of the test.

 

About Novigenix SA
Novigenix SA is an innovative Swiss molecular diagnostics company focused on the
commercialization of new screening and diagnostics tools for early detection of
cancer. Novigenix’s products rely on a new generation of predictive molecular
signatures and state-of-the-art mathematical analytical models to provide new
solutions for the early diagnosis of cancer. For more information please visit
www.novigenix.com

 

About Colox®
Colox® is a proven molecular blood test that has been designed to support the
healthcare community in significantly reducing mortality from colorectal cancer
through early diagnosis and intervention. This convenient blood test can be ordered
by a physician during a routine medical checkup to accurately and reliably detect
both adenomatous polyps and early stages of colorectal cancer. Colox is available
as a Laboratory Developed Test and is highly suited to standard medical laboratory
workflow. Colox is also available as a CE registered kit.
NOTE: Colox® has been approved for sale in Europe. It is not yet approved for use in
the United States.

 

Contact
Novigenix SA
Christian Jauch, Director of Finance
Christian.Jauch@novigenix.com
Tel: +41 21 552 07 30
Cell: +41 79 768 38 20