Roche and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Enter Collaborative Research Agreement to Identify New RNA Biomarkers that Help Predict Cervical Cancer Risk
Collaboration is based on recent DKFZ discovery suggesting cervical cancer risk may be more precisely determined by relative amounts of particular spliced HPV RNA molecules
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PLEASANTON, Calif. and Heidelberg, Germany – Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) announced today that they have entered into a three-year research collaboration to identify human papilloma virus (HPV) RNA biomarkers that may enable more specific prediction of a woman’s risk for developing cervical cancer.
The collaboration is based on recent DKFZ research indicating that the relative amounts of specific spliced viral RNA molecules (i.e., RNA markers) in HPV-infected cells enable highly accurate discrimination of cervical cancer and high-grade (pre-cancer) from low-grade cervical lesions.
“DKFZ is among the world’s leading HPV research institutes. Through this collaboration, we have the opportunity to work with them to validate novel HPV RNA markers that could further refine screening and diagnosis of cervical cancer,” said Paul Brown, Ph.D., president and CEO of Roche Molecular Diagnostics. “Our collective hope is that this biomarker validation research will ultimately lead to the development of a new assay that complements the cobas® 4800 HPV DNA test to make cervical cancer screening, diagnosis and grading even more accurate and specific.”
RMD and DKFZ initiated the three-year collaboration in September 2010. DKFZ is conducting research on Roche proprietary platforms, facilitating direct transition and application of any relevant findings to the Roche diagnostics product line.
“From our previous laboratory results on HPV RNA patterns we are confident that our test system will specifically and reliably detect women at high risk for cervical cancer. With Roche we have the great opportunity to work with a strong and experienced development partner for translating our laboratory results into a valid diagnostic product from which women will benefit,” said Professor Lutz Gissmann.
“The recently completed ATHENA U.S. registration trial demonstrated clearly the sensitivity and diagnostic value that HPV DNA testing provides as compared to cytologic examination with a Pap test,” said Brown. “As a company, Roche is committed to continuing this type of groundbreaking HPV research to improve diagnosis of cervical cancer and save women’s lives. The type of innovative HPV research ongoing at DKFZ is completely aligned with our mission.”
About the cobas® 4800 HPV Test and cobas® 4800 System
The Roche cobas® 4800 HPV Test is the only HPV test under investigation in the United States that simultaneously detects 12 high-risk HPV types (HPV types 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68) as a pooled result, as well as HPV genotypes 16 and 18 individually.
Roche launched the cobas® 4800 HPV Test with CE Mark in 2009. The test is not currently available in the United States.
About Human Papillomavirus and Cervical Cancer
Persistent infection with human papillomavirus is the principal cause of cervical cancer in women, with HPV implicated in greater than 99% of cervical cancers worldwide. Of the more than 118 different types of HPV, 13-16 types are currently considered high-risk for the development of cervical cancer and its precursor lesions. HPV types 16 and 18 have been identified as the highest risk genotypes, detected in approximately 70 percent of cervical cancers. Nucleic acid (DNA) testing is a sensitive and non-invasive method for determining the presence of a cervical HPV infection.
About Roche
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world’s largest biotech company with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, virology, inflammation, metabolism and CNS. Roche is also the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics, tissue-based cancer diagnostics and a pioneer in diabetes management. Roche’s personalized healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostic tools that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients. In 2009, Roche had over 80,000 employees worldwide and invested almost 10 billion Swiss francs in R&D. The Group posted sales of 49.1 billion Swiss francs. Genentech, United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche has a majority stake in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information: www.roche.com.
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With more than 3,000 employees, the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) is Germany’s largest biomedical research institute. DKFZ scientists identify cancer risk factors, investigate how cancer progresses and develop new cancer prevention strategies. They are also developing new methods to diagnose tumors more precisely and treat cancer patients more successfully. The DKFZ's Cancer Information Service (KID) provides patients, interested citizens and experts with individual answers to questions relating to cancer.
To transfer promising approaches from cancer research to the clinic and thus improve the prognosis of cancer patients, the DKFZ cooperates with excellent research institutions and university hospitals throughout Germany:
The DKFZ is 90 percent financed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and 10 percent by the state of Baden-Württemberg. The DKFZ is a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers.
