Blood-based immunoassay for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease

IBL International and the LVR-clinics at the Essen University Hospital of the University Duisburg-Essen will cooperate on the development of a blood-based immunoassay for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease

Hamburg, Germany - 17th September, 2012 . IBL International signed a world-wide, exclusive licence agreement with the University of Duisburg-Essen to develop and commercialize a blood-based immunoassay for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, the clinical diagnosis is supported by the measurement of biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid using in-vitro diagnostic assays. In order to contribute to widespread routine application, reliable blood-based biomarkers are required as well as suitable quantitative analytical assays.

The assay will be developed within the Neuroallianz Consortium, of which IBL International and the University of Duisburg-Essen are partners. The Neuroallianz Consortium is a research cooperation in conjunction with the Pharmaceuticals Initiative in Germany. The Consortium is supported by the German government and received EUR 40 million since it became active in 2009.

Both parties are very pleased with the new license agreement. Studies from the University of Duisburg-Essen show promising evidence that the ratio of the novel amyloid-peptide variants as measured in blood meet the requirements of a blood-based biomarker. Professor Jens Wiltfang, Head of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the LVR-clinics at the University of Duisburg-Essen: ’’Our joint effort within the Consortium will greatly accelerate the development of novel diagnostics as well as therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.’’ Dr. Jan Boesen, CEO IBL International comments: ’’We are pleased that IBL International was chosen as partner in the development and commercialization of the blood-based assay. The development of such assay for early detection is the Holy Grail in Alzheimer’s disease and it will open up the market for routine diagnosis. This agreement fits well with the license agreement with IBL Japan that was signed last month. Under this agreement IBL international will start to manufacture and distribute CE registered Amyloid-ß （1-40） and Amyloid-ß （1-42） ELISAs.’’

IBL International GmbH in Hamburg is part of a Dutch holding company and provides one of the widest ranges of immunoassays for special diagnostics to be used in research and routine laboratories. IBL has nearly 30-years of experience and employs 70 people. The company pursues to leverage its assets by securing partnerships in order to place their markers on other technology platforms and for the co-development of companion diagnostics. IBL International has direct sales organizations in Germany, US and the Benelux and an international distribution network on all continents.

Neuroallianz Consortium consists of Rheinische Friedrich‐Wilhelms‐Universität Bonn, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, LVR‐Klinikum Essen/Universitätsklinikum Essen, Research Center Jülich GmbH, Fraunhofer Institute SCAI, UCB Pharma GmbH, IBL International, and Life&Brain GmbH.

For more information please contact:

IBL International GmbH:

Jeanine Boesen-de Cock PhD, MBA

Manager Business Development

Phone: +

: Jeanine.Boesen@IBL-International.com

www.IBL-International.com