DiaGenic ASA today presented prototypes for its early diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s disease at the 8th International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases (AD/PD 2007) at Salzburg, Austria. Based on gene expression analysis using peripheral blood as sample material, the DiaGenic test demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity on both prototypes.
“The data presented by DiaGenic suggest that this strategy for biomarker discovery may pay off,” said Professor Sam Gandy of the Farber Institute for Neurosciences, Thomas Jefferson University in the US. “There is a clear need for a better and earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer’s patients.”
DiaGenic CEO Erik Christiansen commented, “We have now used the informative genes identified in previous studies to design and develop customized arrays on two different platforms that employ alternate technologies for gene expression profiling and validated them using a new and independent patient cohort. One is based on microarray technology (CodeLink™ Customized Multiassay Bioarrays), while the other relies on RT-PCR technology (TaqMan® Low density arrays). The results from both prototypes fully meet the criteria for diagnostic use. In case of TaqMan, a 96 gene expression format has been developed retaining the high diagnostic accuracy reported by us on previous studies.”
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder afflicting approximately 20 million individuals worldwide, with a dramatic rise due to changing demographics forecast to 30-35 million by the year 2025. The symptoms and also the pathology of AD and other forms of dementia are similar and overlapping, making an early and accurate diagnosis extremely difficult. Alzheimer’s disease is the most costly disease for our societies - more costly than both cardiovascular disease and cancer combined. In the US alone, direct and indirect costs of caring for AD patients are at least $100 billion.
About DiaGenic ASA
DiaGenic is an innovative Norwegian biotechnology company that seeks to create value for patients, partners, and investors by developing new and more patient friendly methods for early detection of diseases. DiaGenic is currently a world leader in analyzing gene expression signatures related to disease in easily available clinical samples such as peripheral blood. This unique method is based on the principle that even when a disease is localized at a specific part of the body, secondary responses, which are also characteristic of the disease, can be measured in other parts. Significant potential in numerous diseases such as breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease has been identified. The company has been granted patents in the U.S. and Europe. DiaGenic is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. For more information visit www.diagenic.com.
TaqMan is a registered trademark of Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.