DiaGenic ASA has announced that it has signed a service provider agreement with DNAVision, provider of gene expression-based diagnostic testing and services.

With this laboratory service, and following CE marking scheduled in early 2009, DiaGenic will be able to offer health care providers and patients in Europe its innovative blood-based gene-expression diagnostic test for early detection of breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

"This agreement with DNAVision will provide us with the ideal launch platform across Europe for our blood-based tests for early detection of breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease," said DiaGenic CEO Erik Christensen, MD, PhD, "We are currently introducing the breast cancer test in India. The key advantages of our tests are the ease of sample collection and the ability to detect the earliest signs of disease. However, quality control is equally important in generating provider and patient confidence. We therefore regard DNAVision as an ideal partner since their testing facilities for molecular diagnostics comply with the most advanced quality standards in Europe."

"We are delighted to provide the diagnostic testing arm for DiaGenic in Europe for their breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease tests. We are convinced that such tests are laying the basis for new levels of diagnostic services that will benefit overall healthcare provision in Europe " said Jean-Pol Detiffe, CEO of DNAVision.

"This agreement is also continuing confirmation that DNAVision has become the partner of choice for biotech companies who want to step into the diagnostic market without facing long IVD application procedures, but with the help of a quality certified service provider generating data available for clinical and diagnostic purposes."

"In parallel to this agreement, we are finalizing marketing in preparation for a full European launch early next year following CE marking of both the breast cancer and Alzheimer’s test," concluded Dr Christensen.