Mechelen (Belgium)/Seattle (United States), 24 January 2018 — Biocartis Group NV (‘Biocartis’), an innovative molecular diagnostics company (Euronext Brussels: BCART) and Immunexpress Pty Ltd (‘Immunexpress’), a host response molecular diagnostic company, committed to improving clinical and economic outcomes for suspected sepsis patients, today announce that they have entered into a partnership agreement aimed at the development and commercialization of Immunexpress’ SeptiCypte™ test for use on Biocartis’ sample-to-result Idylla™ platform.

Immunexpress focusses on developing tests based on proprietary biomarker signatures that assess the response of a patient’s immune system to infections. The SeptiCyte™ LAB, the first test from Immunexpress, recently received 510(k) clearance from the US FDA[1] for use on a manual PCR[2] instrument. The test aids in the differentiation of infection-positive (sepsis) from infection-negative (SIRS) systemic inflammation in critically ill patients on their first day of their admission in the ICU (intensive care unit). 

Sepsis is a major unmet medical need caused by a patient’s overwhelming and life-threatening immune response to infection and can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death. Sepsis affects an estimated 20-30 million people worldwide[3] every year. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, sepsis is the most expensive condition treated in US hospitals, costing more than $20 billion in 2011 and increasing annually on average by 11.9%[4]. 

Time is a key element in the survival of a sepsis patient. Evidence shows that a delay in the treatment of a patient with sepsis increases mortality by 7.6% per hour in the first six hours[5]. Today’s primary diagnostic approach for confirming a clinical diagnosis of sepsis is pathogen detection based on blood culture. This, however, has significant drawbacks: it can take several days before a result is obtained, the collection of the sample can result in false positives[6] and most importantly, it only detects a pathogen in around 10% to 30% of suspected sepsis patients[7].

Rob Lilley, Chairman at Immunexpress, stated: “This partnership offers us the ideal marriage between the Idylla™ technology and the range of SeptiCyte™ host response tests. SeptiCyte™ can now be fully automated,allowing for fast near-patient testing, resulting in potentially life-saving clinical information. This will be very beneficial for all key healthcare stakeholders, including medical professionals, payers and patients.”

Roy Davis, MD, PhD, MHA Chief Medical Officer at Immunexpress, continued: “Sepsis is a true medical emergency. When recognized and treated early, lives are saved and costs are reduced. We look forward to working together with Biocartis, and to make a real difference with accessing timely clinical information with this SeptiCyte™ blood test for aiding in differentiating infection in 100% of suspected sepsis patients.”

Herman Verrelst, Chief Executive Officer at Biocartis, reacted: “We are enthusiastic about our new partnership with Immunexpress, whose recent 510(k) clearance for its Immunexpress’ SeptiCyte™ LAB test underlines the validation and quality of its approach. This test will definitely benefit from the unique features of our Idylla™ system, which allows results to be generated in a timeframe that supports the time-critical decision-making required in the management of sepsis patients. Furthermore, the knowledge and extensive network of Immunexpress within the field of sepsis is very impressive and complementary to ours, ensuring all fundamentals for a strong partnership.”

Under the partnership, parties will co-develop the SeptiCyte™ Idylla™ test, whereas Immunexpress will take the lead in the commercialization, with an initial focus on the US and the European markets. Financial details of the partnership are not disclosed.

About Immunexpress
Immunexpress is a Seattle-based molecular diagnostic company committed to improving outcomes for patients suspected of sepsis. Immunexpress’ SeptiCyte™ technology rapidly quantifies, directly from whole blood, specific molecular markers from the patient’s own immune system – the ‘host response’. SeptiCyte™ LAB, recently cleared by the FDA, is the first of its kind in using the host immune system to differentiate systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis. Detecting the host’s response to infection has the potential to differentiate infection earlier, faster and more accurately than finding the invading pathogen because it is independent of whether or not the pathogen is present in the sample. Immunexpress’ pipeline includes several assays for readily available instruments, including random access, point-of-care (POC) and sample-to-answer.

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Forward-looking statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Biocartis expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this press release, expect if specifically required to do so by law or regulation. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Contact
For Biocartis
Renate Degrave
Manager Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
Tel: +32 15 631 729
Mobile: +32 471 53 60 64
Email: rdegrave@biocartis.com

For Immunexpress
Maggie Beller
Russo Partners, LLC
Tel: +1 646 942 5631
Email maggie.beller@russopartnersllc.com