Biocartis Presents the Successful use of Idylla[TM] for the Detection of the BRAF Mutation Status in Tumour Samples at the International AACR Congress (American Association for Cancer Research) in Bos

Mechelen, Belgium And Lausanne, Switzerland (ots/PRNewswire) -

Biocartis also introduces IdyllaTM, the brand name for its
innovative and high-quality diagnostic platform (previously codenamed
Apollo). IdyllaTM is designed to carry out fast and accurate analysis
of a broad range of clinical samples[1]. The platform retains the
sensitivity of existing technologies but overcomes, amongst others,
the current time-consuming testing process of tumour samples.

Apollo becomes IdyllaTM

IdyllaTM is Biocartis' commercial brand name for the fully
integrated molecular diagnostic platform, which analyses clinical
samples accurately, fast and easily. It gives short shrift to today's
time-consuming molecular testing processes. IdyllaTM will provide a
direct access to a wide array of tests in various diagnostic areas.
Biocartis is currently developing tests primarily in the field of
oncology.

Fast and accurate analysis of tumour samples

In collaboration with the world-renowned American MD Anderson
Cancer Center, IdyllaTM was used in a comparative study that included
various tumour types, for the presence of the BRAF cancer gene.

Today, Dr Janku from MD Anderson and Biocartis presented the
results from this study at the international congress of the American
Association for Cancer Research AACR-NCI-EORTC (Molecular Targets and
Cancer Therapeutics). At this conference, the latest innovations in
cancer diagnosis are presented to a large delegation of cancer
experts from both the research and clinical/pharmaceutical world. The
study was also selected by AACR as one of three studies presented at
the AACR press conference today: http://www.aacr.org/home/public--med
ia/aacr-press-releases.aspx?d=3190.

IdyllaTM simply and rapidly detects mutations and shows a much
higher sensitivity as compared to standard diagnostic assays and
standard sequencing, thereby eliminating the need for dissection of
the tumor region. These technologies are available in highly
specialised laboratories, where the process from sample to result can
take several weeks, whilst IdyllaTM yields a reportable result in
35-90 minutes, depending on the test.

IdyllaTM and first cancer test on the market in second half of
2014

IdyllaTM and the BRAF test will be marketed by Biocartis. The
launch of the platform and the BRAF assay in Europe is expected in
the second half of 2014.

About Biocartis (http://www.biocartis.com)

Biocartis aspires to improve quality of life by providing direct
access to personalized medicine to patients worldwide. Its goal is to
advance medical treatment through the broad implementation of
state-of-the-art personalized diagnostic tests performed close to the
clinical decision-making point.

Biocartis' innovative research and diagnostic systems feature the
detection of molecular components, which are indicative for a
specific pathological state. The new systems are highly
user-friendly, require less hands-on time and minimize the handling
of valuable samples, which is of the utmost importance for tumor
biopsies. In addition, Biocartis develops assays with major clinical
and compelling health economic value. Oncology is Biocartis' primary
focus as it represents one of the areas with the greatest unmet needs
for personalized medicine.

Biocartis is a rapidly growing business that currently employs
close to 200 people. It has offices in Belgium (close to Brussels)
and in Switzerland (Lausanne).

[1] Platform and assays are currently under development. For
Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

ots Originaltext: Biocartis
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Contact: Rudi Pauwels, CEO, Phone: +32-15-632-600 (Mechelen) ,
Phone: +41-21-694-04-30 (Lausanne) , nhutsebaut@biocartis.com