Biocartis Expands Collaboration with LifeArc

Mechelen, Belgium, and London, UK, 1 September 2020 – Biocartis Group NV (the ‘Company’ or ‘Biocartis’), an innovative molecular diagnostics company (Euronext Brussels: BCART), today announces the expansion of its collaboration with LifeArc, a UK based independent medical research charity, with a new agreement aimed at the development of highly innovative prototype assays in the field of infectious and immune related diseases on Biocartis’ fully automated molecular diagnostics platform IdyllaTM.

The new licence and development agreement is an extension of the existing partnership1 between LifeArc and Biocartis, which is today focused on the development and the commercialization of the IdyllaTM ABC (Advanced Breast Cancer) assay2. This assay is positioned to target a multi-gene panel of predictive and resistance-inducing mutations based on an FFPE3 sample type. Under the new agreement, LifeArc obtains a non-exclusive licence to use the IdyllaTM platform for the development of IdyllaTM assays in the area of infectious and immune related diseases, aimed at supporting patient stratification and treatment monitoring of patients with, amongst others, bacterial, fungal and viral infections.

Today even more than ever, there is a clear need for improved diagnostics and monitoring of infectious and immune related disease. Central labs struggle to meet the growing demand, which is driven by rising incidence and prevalence of communicable diseases as well as a growing elderly population, who generally have a weaker immune response.

Herman Verrelst, Chief Executive Officer of Biocartis, commented: “Although our focus remains in oncology, we know the IdyllaTM platform to have a much broader capability such as in infectious disease testing. We have always said we were keen on exploring opportunities there together with partners. LifeArc is one of the largest UK charitable medical research institutions and an organization that works with some of the most advanced and comprehensive technologies available today. Adding to the ongoing development of our proprietary IdyllaTM SARS-CoV-2 Test and to our collaboration with Immunexpress on sepsis testing, this collaboration will further help build an innovative IdyllaTM test pipeline in the area of infectious and immune related diseases with high clinical need. We’re pleased to see our partnering activities continue to add to the test menu and attractiveness of the IdyllaTM platform.”

Michael Dalrymple, Executive Director, Diagnostics & Science Foresight at LifeArc, said: “Based on our experience with IdyllaTM as a great sample-to-result platform for rapid molecular diagnostics, we believe the technology can deliver patient benefit beyond oncology. Through this additional licence and development agreement, we can explore the development of highly innovative assays, and ultimately develop new tests that benefit patients.”

Financial details of the agreement are not disclosed.

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About Biocartis

Biocartis (Euronext Brussels: BCART) is an innovative molecular diagnostics (MDx) company providing next generation diagnostic solutions aimed at improving clinical practice for the benefit of patients, clinicians, payers and industry. Biocartis’ proprietary MDx IdyllaTM platform is a fully automated sample-to-result, real-time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) system that offers accurate, highly reliable molecular information from virtually any biological sample in virtually any setting. Biocartis is developing and marketing a continuously expanding test menu addressing key unmet clinical needs, with a focus in oncology, which represents the fastest growing segment of the MDx market worldwide. Today, Biocartis offers tests supporting melanoma, colorectal and lung cancer.

About LifeArc

LifeArc is a self-funded medical research charity. Our mission is to advance translation of early science into health care treatments or diagnostics that can be taken through to full development and made available to patients. We have been doing this for more than 25 years and our work has resulted in a diagnostic for antibiotic resistance and four licensed medicines. Our success allows us to explore new approaches to stimulate and fund translation. We have our own drug discovery and diagnostics development facilities, supported by experts in technology transfer and intellectual property who also provide services to other organizations. Our model is built on collaboration, and we partner with a broad range of groups including medical research charities, research organizations, industry and academic scientists. We are motivated by patient need and scientific opportunity. Two funds help us to invest in external projects for the benefit of patients: our Philanthropic Fund provides grants to support medical research projects focused on the translation of rare diseases research and our Seed Fund is aimed at start-up companies focused on developing new therapeutics and biological modalities.

Biocartis and IdyllaTM are registered trademarks in Europe, the United States and other countries. The Biocartis and IdyllaTM trademark and logo are used trademarks owned by Biocartis. This press release is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in any jurisdiction where to do so would be unlawful. Any persons reading this press release should inform themselves of and observe any such restrictions. Biocartis takes no responsibility for any violation of any such restrictions by any person. Please refer to the product labeling for applicable intended uses for each individual Biocartis product. This press release does not constitute an offer or invitation for the sale or purchase of securities in any jurisdiction. No securities of Biocartis may be offered or sold in the United States of America absent registration with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

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