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Blood Test to Detect Alzheimer's a Step Closer; Second Study Confirms DiaGenic ASA's Breakthrough Test Method for Alzheimer's Disease

Posted on: Monday, 13 February 2006, 09:00 CST

Norwegian life sciences company DiaGenic ASA (OSE:DIAG) today announced that a second study confirmed its patented method to develop gene expression signatures using peripheral blood samples to detect Alzheimer's disease.

DiaGenic ASA first announced findings from its pilot study in connection with the IPA's (International Psychogeriatric Association) 12th Congress on September 22, 2005. That study has now been reconfirmed with a larger study using Applied Biosystems microarray technology at the IMGM Laboratories in Germany. "The results from the Alzheimer's study support DiaGenic's concept," said Are Aastveit, Professor of Statistics, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB). "The results obtained were based on a large number of samples, and well-established statistical methods were used in analysis and validation of the results."

"The study was a success as it confirmed that DiaGenic's method can be used for the detection of Alzheimer's disease," said Praveen Sharma, Director of Technology, DiaGenic ASA. "We are very encouraged by the completion of this significant milestone and we now expect to move towards the development of a blood-based Alzheimer's test."

The Company expects to develop a product prototype for its blood-based Alzheimer's test during 2006. DiaGenic ASA has received a U.S. patent for using gene expression signatures from peripheral blood cells to diagnose Alzheimer's disease.

"Alzheimer's disease affects more and more people today and it poses a great medical challenge with the ageing population," said Tor Jacob Moe, senior physician, NKS Olaviken Geriatric Hospital. "To be able to use a simple blood test to diagnose the disease at an early stage would be a great step forward towards fighting the disease."

About Alzheimer's disease

A new study, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, indicates that inheritance may play a role in nearly 80 percent of cases. An estimated 28 million suffer from Alzheimer's disease, 4.5 million of these cases are in the U.S. Early therapeutic intervention can make a difference in improving quality of life. However, there is no single diagnostic test that can detect if a person has Alzheimer's disease.

Source: Business Wire

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