Sysmex and Epigenomics AG Announce Strategic R&D Collaboration in Colorectal Cancer Diagnostics

- Focus on detection of methylated DNA in blood using Sysmex
instrumentation
- Sysmex assay system to be benchmarked against Epigenomics' mSEPT9
assay
- Parties entered into negotiations for a non-exclusive IVD license
to mSEPT9 colorectal cancer blood test
Berlin, Germany, and Kobe, Japan, January 22, 2009 - Sysmex
Corporation (HQ: Kobe Japan; President: Hisashi Ietsugu) and
Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt Prime Standard: ECX; ISIN: DE000A0BVT96)
announced today that they have signed a strategic research and
development collaboration agreement in molecular diagnostics.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sysmex and Epigenomics will assess
the suitability of Sysmex' molecular diagnostics instrumentation for
the detection of DNA methylation cancer biomarkers in blood. As a
benchmark for the development of its assay system, Sysmex will use
Epigenomics' mSEPT9 Methylation Detection Assay commercially
available as a research use only product. If successful, Sysmex
intends to develop and commercialize initially in Japan a blood test
for the early detection of colorectal cancer based on Epigenomics'
proprietary SEPT9 DNA Methylation Biomarker (mSEPT9). Upon entering
into this collaboration both parties have started negotiations for a
non-exclusive mSEPT9 licensing agreement.

Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Sysmex gets access to
Epigenomics' technologies through R&D licenses and technology
transfer and will be supported by Epigenomics in its R&D work. In
return, Epigenomics will receive certain license fees, R&D funding
and reimbursements and will sell its mSEPT9 research use only product
to Sysmex.

"We are committed to the creation of new technologies that will
assist in providing individual patients with optimal medical care,
through testing and diagnosis. This new joint research agreement will
lead to the establishment of early detection technology. This will
improve Sysmex's portfolio of diagnostic technology and help to
attain the goal of effective disease management ranging from early
detection to treatment support and relapse prevention." said Dr.
Tameo Iwasaki, head of research and development of Sysmex.

"We are very excited about this partnership with Sysmex, one of the
top 10 leading and fastest growing companies in the diagnostics
industry. This agreement is another important step towards the
commercialization of our mSEPT9 biomarker for colorectal cancer blood
testing", commented Geert Nygaard, Chief Executive Officer of
Epigenomics. "It validates the clinical utility and the commercial
attractiveness of our approach to colorectal cancer diagnostics as
well as our non-exclusive partnering strategy. With Sysmex we expect
to create a route to the attractive Japanese market for our early
cancer detection franchise."

About Sysmex

Since the foundation, Sysmex has remained focused on the diagnostics
of human blood, urine, and cells based on our original "technology".
Sysmex has provided healthcare professionals the world over with a
broad range of products and solutions, including instruments,
reagents, software, and after-sales support for diverse testing
fields. As the only Asian company among the top 10 leading players in
the global diagnostics market, Sysmex is expanding the sales and
support network established in Japan onto foreign soils. By combining
quality products with maintenance services and academic support to
enhance overall added value, Sysmex is striving to increase
confidence through enhanced customer satisfaction.
Healthcare testing will play an increasingly important role in
treatment and disease prevention by using medical technology to
achieve remarkable breakthroughs. To help fulfill one of our mantras:
"To live a longer, healthier life"; a desire cherished by everyone,
we are exploring emerging opportunities in the life science field. In
order to offer healthcare services optimized to each individual,
Sysmex is applying R&D to the creation of high-value-added testing
and diagnostic technologies that are innovative and original. Sysmex
is leveraging state-of-the-art technologies for gene and protein
analysis.
Sysmex Corporation is listed in Tokyo Stock Exchange, First Section
and the Osaka Securities Exchange, First Section (Securities Code:
6869). For more information about Sysmex, please visit our website at
http://www.sysmex.co.jp/en/.

About Epigenomics AG

Epigenomics is a molecular diagnostics company with a focus on the
development of novel products for cancer. Using DNA methylation
biomarkers, Epigenomics' tests in development aim at diagnosing
cancer at an early stage before symptoms occur and thereby may reduce
mortality from this dreaded disease.

Epigenomics' product pipeline contains a validated biomarker for the
early detection of colorectal cancer in blood plasma, and further
proprietary DNA methylation biomarkers at various stages of
development for prostate and lung cancer detection in urine, blood
and bronchial lavage specimens. Epigenomics' biomarker SEPT9 DNA
Methylation Biomarker (mSEPT9) for the early detection of colorectal
cancer in a simple blood sample demonstrated continuously highest
performance in multiple clinical studies with in total about 3,500
individuals tested.

For development and global commercialization as in vitro diagnostic
test kits, Epigenomics pursues a non-exclusive partnering strategy
with diagnostics industry companies. As a first strategic partner,
Abbott Molecular Inc. licensed the worldwide non-exclusive IVD rights
to Epigenomics' proprietary mSEPT9 biomarker for colorectal cancer.
Epigenomics also aims at giving patients and doctors early access to
these biomarkers through reference laboratory testing services. As a
first reference laboratory partner, Quest Diagnostics Inc., the
leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services,
obtained the license to commercialize a laboratory-developed test
(LDT) for mSEPT9 in the U.S.

Partners in the health care industry and the biomedical research
community can access Epigenomics' portfolio of proprietary DNA
methylation technologies and biomarkers protected by more than 150
patent families through research products, Biomarker Services, IVD
Development Collaborations, and Licensing. The company is
headquartered in Berlin, Germany, and has a wholly owned subsidiary
in Seattle, WA, U.S.A. For more information, please visit
Epigenomics' website at www.epigenomics.com.

Disclaimer. This communication expressly or implicitly contains
certain forward-looking statements concerning Epigenomics AG and its
business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results,
financial condition, performance or achievements of Epigenomics AG to
be materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Epigenomics AG is providing this communication as of this date and
does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained
herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact

Please direct media inquiries for Sysmex to:

IR & Corporate Communication Div.
SYSMEX CORPORATION
Tel: +81-78-265-0500
Fax: +81-78-265-0527
E-mail: info@sysmex.co.jp

For Epigenomics, please contact:

Epigenomics AG
Dr. Achim Plum
Sen. VP Corporate Development
Tel: +49 30 24345 368
Fax: +49 30 24345 555
Email: ir@epigenomics.com

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