VolitionRx Limited Announces Completion of Sample Collection in Endometriosis Study
ISNES, Belgium, Aug. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- VolitionRx Limited (NYSE AMERICAN: VNRX) ("Volition") today announced that the 3-year sample collection has been completed in the prospective study undertaken in collaboration with the University of Oxford, England to assess Volition's proprietary Nu.Q™ platform technology for the diagnosis of endometriosis through a simple blood test. Volition has now commenced running its discovery grade assays through the cohorts and expects to report preliminary data over the coming months.
Dr. Jake Micallef, Volition's Chief Scientific Officer, commented "Endometriosis is a potentially debilitating inflammatory condition in which the endometrial tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus, grows outside the uterus, typically damaging the ovaries, fallopian tubes or other tissues of the pelvic cavity. Volition owns patents in the detection of endometriosis using nucleosome assays and we look forward to investigating the use of Nu.QTM technology in this large patient cohort."
Early detection and diagnosis of endometriosis remains one of the most important unaddressed medical needs in women's health. Endometriosis is the leading cause of female infertility, is extremely painful and affects huge numbers of women – up to 10% of women of reproductive age. Endometriosis is still currently diagnosed surgically by laparoscopy and the time from presentation to diagnosis is typically 8-10 years. Volition believes that the existing methodology for detection demonstrates a clear need for a reliable non-invasive diagnostic.
Collection of the samples was led by Professors Christian Becker and Krina Zondervan of the Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, who are also co-Directors of the Oxford Endometriosis Care and Research Centre (CaRe). Blood samples were collected prospectively from 350 patients over a period of more than 3 years following the Endometriosis Phenome and Biobanking Harmonisation Project (EPHect) guidelines supported by the World Endometriosis Research Foundation (WERF). Differences in circulating nucleosomes will be evaluated between women and across the menstrual cycle using Volition's Nu.QTM technology platform.
Professor Becker said: "We are looking forward to the results of this study which very much complements our ongoing efforts at the Oxford Endometriosis CaRe Centre of identifying non-invasive biomarkers for endometriosis which we believe will be an essential step towards improved patient diagnosis and care."
Cameron Reynolds, Chief Executive Officer of Volition, commented "We are delighted to be working with the Oxford Endometriosis CaRe Centre. We hope to build on our ongoing Nu.QTM work in cancer screening by exploring important disease applications beyond cancer to demonstrate the breadth of our Nu.QTM technology with our newly improved assays."
About Volition
Volition is a multi-national life sciences company focused on developing simple, easy to use, cost effective blood tests designed to help diagnose a range of cancers. The tests are based on the technology platform of Nucleosomics®, which is the practice of identifying and measuring nucleosomes in the bloodstream or other bodily fluid - an indication that disease is present.
As cancer screening programs become more widespread, Volition's products aim to help to diagnose a range of cancers quickly, simply, accurately and cost effectively. Early diagnosis has the potential to not only prolong the life of patients, but also to improve their quality of life.
Volition intends to expand the application of its technology beyond cancer by exploring other disease applications. The company's research and development activities are currently centered in Belgium, with additional offices in London, Texas and Singapore, as it focuses on bringing its diagnostic products to market first in Europe, then in the U.S. and ultimately, worldwide.
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Media/Investor Contacts
Louise Day, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
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+44 (0)7557 774620
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+1 (646) 653 7030
Safe Harbor Statement
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Nucleosomics®, NuQ®, Nu.QTM and Hypergenomics® and their respective logos are trademarks and/or service marks of VolitionRx Limited and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this press release are the property of their respective owners. Additionally, unless otherwise specified, all references to "$" refer to the legal currency of the United States of America.
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SOURCE VolitionRx Ltd
Released August 9, 2018