Curetis Starts Subsidiary Ares Genetics to Advance Genetic Antibiotic Resistance Testing

- Successful completion of GEAR asset and know how transfer from Siemens to Curetis

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Holzgerlingen, Germany, April 6, 2017 -- Curetis N.V. (the "Company" and, together with Curetis GmbH, "Curetis"), a developer of next-level molecular diagnostic solutions, today announced that the Company has established Ares Genetics GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Curetis GmbH. Ares Genetics builds on GEAR GEnetic Antibiotic Resistance and Susceptibility Database and associated assets recently acquired for Siemens. The Company will use GEAR to investigate the genetic foundations of antibiotic resistance and develop and subsequently commercialize novel approaches to improve the rapid detection of antibiotic resistance in patients with microbial infections as well as tools to accelerate antibiotic research. Ares Genetics has been established in Vienna, Austria, in close proximity to the Vienna Biocenter VBC and is headed by Dr. Andreas Posch, who has joined Curetis in March from Siemens as Director GEAR & Bio-IT and one of the Managing Directors of Ares Genetics. Dr. Posch headed the bioinformatics activities at Siemens Healthcare and was responsible for GEAR prior to the asset transfer to Curetis. In addition to Dr. Posch, Curetis` CCO Dr. Achim Plum will act as a further Managing Director of Ares Genetics.

GEAR contains the entire DNA sequences of more than 11,000 bacterial strains as well as related sensitivity data for 21 antibiotics. The strains were isolated from patient samples at over 200 sites across the world over the last three decades. It is the most comprehensive set of genotype-phenotype combinations for antibiotic resistance today and builds on 30 Terabytes of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and drug susceptibility raw data. It allows to assemble and annotate bacterial genomes from NGS raw data, identify genetic variations in those genomes and correlate them with the response of the respective bacterial strain to antibiotics. GEAR was developed and compiled by Siemens in collaboration with two academic partners, the Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology (IKMB) at Kiel University and the Clinical Bioinformatics Group of Saarland University headed by Prof. Dr. Andreas Keller who will continue working with Curetis as a key academic partner to further develop GEAR and investigate the genetics of antibiotic resistance.

Via its subsidiary Ares Genetics, Curetis will use GEAR as a biomarker engine to rapidly identify potential novel biomarkers, biomarker combinations, and algorithms predicting antibiotic resistance, as well as potential novel targets for antimicrobial drugs. In the future, GEAR may also pave the way towards fully genetic antibiograms and provide a reference for NGS-based clinical diagnostics.

"We are planning to leverage GEAR as a source for novel genetic markers to further improve the accuracy of rapid genetic tests for antibiotic resistance in life-threatening infections," said Dr. Achim Plum, CCO of Curetis and the second Managing Director at Ares Genetics. "GEAR is a perfect fit for Curetis and will allow us to stay on top of the development of novel resistances."

"GEAR will expand Curetis` content leadership with novel antibiotic resistance markers and form the basis for additional business, including clinical decision support, pharma research or next-generation sequencing interpretation services," said Dr. Andreas Posch, Managing Director at Ares Genetics. "We will pursue a partnership-based model for future R&D and commercialization. Our goal is to advance GEAR as a collaborative research platform for academic and translational research, public health, and industry partners. This will establish GEAR as the enabling technology platform for a broad and effective alliance against antibiotic resistances."

To this end, the newly founded company is currently putting together a strong core team of bioinformatics expertise and life science project management to lead and coordinate all GEAR related R&D within the Curetis Group as well as collaborative projects with partners in industry and academia.

To demonstrate the potential of GEAR in our understanding of the genetics of resistance and to attract further partners in the clinical and scientific communities, Curetis together with its leading academic partners from the Clinical Bioinformatics Group of Saarland University is pursuing a comprehensive publication strategy to share numerous aspects of the data set.

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"Together with Prof. Keller and our partners at Saarland University, we have already published a first paper on the accuracy of species identification using NGS data and further publications on genetic factors of resistances are in the pipeline. Following the publications, we also intend to make certain aspects of the GEAR database publicly available to stimulate our engagement with the relevant academic communities", commented Dr. Posch.

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About Curetis Founded in 2007, Curetis is a molecular diagnostics company, which focuses on the development and commercialization of reliable, fast and cost-effective products for diagnosing severe infectious diseases. The diagnostic solutions of Curetis enable rapid multi-parameter pathogen and antibiotic resistance marker detection in only a few hours, a process that today can take up to days or even weeks with other techniques.

To date, Curetis has raised EUR 44.3 million in an IPO on Euronext Amsterdam and Euronext Brussels and private equity funds of over EUR 63.5 million. Furthermore, Curetis has entered into a debt financing facility with EIB for up to EUR 25 million. The company is based in Holzgerlingen near Stuttgart, Germany. Curetis collaborates with Heraeus Medical, pharmaceutical companies, and has entered into several international distribution agreements covering many countries across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

In 2017, Curetis established Ares Genetics GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Curetis GmbH in Vienna, Austria. Ares Genetics is dedicated to maximize the R&D and related scientific and business opportunities of the GEAR assets acquired in 2016 for the entire Curetis Group.

For further information, please visit http://www.curetis.com

Legal Disclaimer This document constitutes neither an offer to buy nor to subscribe securities and neither this document nor any part of it should form the basis of any investment decision in Curetis.

The information contained in this press release has been carefully prepared. However, Curetis bears and assumes no liability of whatever kind for the correctness and completeness of the information provided herein. Curetis does not assume an obligation of whatever kind to update or correct information contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events or for other reasons.

This press release includes statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes", "estimates", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will", or "should", and include statements Curetis makes concerning the intended results of its strategy. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Curetis` actual results may differ materially from those predicted by the forward-looking statements. Curetis undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.

Contact details

Curetis Max-Eyth-Str. 42 71088 Holzgerlingen, Germany Tel. +49 7031 49195-10 pr@curetis.com or ir@curetis.com http://www.curetis.com - http://www.unyvero.com

International Media & Investor Inquiries akampion Dr. Ludger Wess / Ines-Regina Buth Managing Partners info(@)akampion.com Tel. +49 40 88 16 59 64 Tel. +49 30 23 63 27 68

U.S. Media & Investor Inquiries The Ruth Group Lee Roth lroth@theruthgroup.com Tel. +1 646 536 7012

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This announcement is distributed by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions on behalf of NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: Curetis via GlobeNewswire HUG#2094192

Originally posted here:
Curetis Starts Subsidiary Ares Genetics to Advance Genetic Antibiotic Resistance Testing - Yahoo Finance

Wednesday was an up-and-down day for the stock market, but major market benchmarks ended up on the short end of the stick and finished with losses of 0.2% to 0.5%. Throughout much of the day, investors seemed to be pleased with continuing signs of growth in the U.S. economy, pointing to the likelihood that a recession is still far away and that the bull market in stocks could continue indefinitely. Yet later in the afternoon, the release of the latest minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee meeting set a different tone. In addition, some stocks posted particularly poor showings, and NewLink Genetics (NASDAQ: NLNK), Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT), and Innophos Holdings (NASDAQ: IPHS) were among the worst performers on the day. Below, we'll look more closely at these stocks to tell you why they did so poorly.

Shares of NewLink Genetics dropped 14% after the biopharmaceutical company released interim results from its phase 2 study of experimental melanoma treatment indoximod. NewLink said that objective response rates came in between 50% and 60% in the study of 60 patients, with disease control rates of 70% to 80%. Yet although Chief Medical Officer Nicholas Vehanian said that the data "further underscore the potential for indoximod in combination with other agents," characterizing the rates as "highly encouraging," investors seemed unimpressed and concerned that failing to produce even stronger performance might leave NewLink vulnerable to competition. With a long road ahead of it, NewLink will inevitably have ups and downs with future study results as the trials progress.

Harmonic stock declined 8% despite the company having showcased new technology at an industry conference. The video delivery infrastructure specialist offered new software-based solutions that it believes could transform the future of media processing, allowing users to take full advantage of changes in media environments. In particular, Harmonic's over-the-top and cloud-based solutions will give customers the ability to release broadcast, live, and on-demand video offerings quickly and with high quality and low cost. Yet investors didn't appear convinced that the conference showcase would result in a faster road to success for Harmonic, whose stock still trades at a third less than what it did in early 2015.

Finally, shares of Innophos Holdings fell 8%. The specialty-ingredient specialist released its "Vision 2022" strategic plan today, which includes a five-year growth trajectory that it hopes to achieve through several key initiatives. In particular, Innophos believes it needs to strengthen its core business in its phosphate-based food, health, and industrial products while growing through acquisition. At the same time, strategic partnerships with customers, suppliers, and marketing and technology partners could help bolster Innophos' business, and the company expects to keep cutting costs to boost efficiency. Yet the company wasn't able to improve its guidance for 2017, which includes a 4% drop in expected sales and flat earnings from 2016 levels. Until these efforts bear fruit, Innophos could see continuing pressure to perform.

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Why NewLink Genetics, Harmonic, and Innophos Holdings Slumped ... - Madison.com

In BriefPhysicians disclosed more about how they implanted a 3-parentfertilized egg into a 36-year-old woman with a history of geneticillness and failed pregnancies. The procedure resulted in the birthof a healthy baby boy in 2016. When Three People Make a Baby

The long-held belief that we get half our genes from our father and the other half from our mother may not be as accurate as we once thought. In fact, scientistshave discovered that your mothers genes might actually have a few inches on that of your fathers in the genetic tug-of-war involving your genetic makeup.

The culprit is the mitochondria, which, thanks to memes, we all know is the powerhouse of the cell butthe mitochondria ismuch more than that when it comes to fertilization. Sometimes, in the case of genetic diseases, its function can be deadly. But thanks to pioneer physicianJohn Zhangand his team, families with a known history of genetic diseases may have the opportunity to raise a healthy child through the conception ofa 3-parent-baby.

Zhangs team has provided more details about a healthyconception they helped bring about in a paper published on 3 April in Reproductive Biomedicine Online. Zhang used mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) to helpa 36-year-old woman to conceive a child. While the womanis asymptomatic of Leigh syndrome, she had already hadfour pregnancy losses, and herfamily history was marked with the disease. Leigh syndrome is a severe neurobiological disorder that impairs the central nervous system and becomes apparent in the first year of life, often leading to death several years later.

Twenty percent of all Leigh syndrome cases are linked to mitochondrial inheritance from the mother, which is why Zhangs method of collecting donor immature egg cells(from the third person) is provingto be an effective gene therapy. In his case study, Zhangs team collected 28healthy donor immature egg cells and verified if the mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) was safe from pathogenic mutations for insertion. A doctor collected 29 eggs from the mother, but only five were suitable for the procedure.

Usingan electrofusion technique, which combines different cells with an electric current, the team transferred the mothers genome into a donated egg with healthy mitochondria. The hybrid egg was then fertilized by the fathers sperm and transferred to the mothers womb.

The MRT technique proved successful with the birth of a healthy male child in 2016. While 25percent of themothers total mitochondria was affected by Leigh syndrome, the disease affected only two to nine percent of the childsmitochondria.

In accordance with current U.S. federal law, the fertilized egg with the mothers genome and donors cytoplasm was implanted in the mother in a fertility clinic in Mexico. The previousprocedures, including egg collection, mitochondrial replacement, and fertilization, were conducted in a private fertility clinic in New York.

While the U.K. leads the world in providing MRT, the U.S. has a difficult history with the technique.As of last year, the FDA greenlighted MRT with male embryos only. This is because any family history of mitochondrial disease would end with themale, as he cannot significantly pass on harmful mitochondrial DNA to any of his potential offspring. Even with the FDAs approval, the 2016congressional budgetprohibits the implantation of modified embryos into any woman, which is why Zhangs team went to Mexico.

While many are terrified that MRT will evolveinto eugenics and designer babies, its obvious that without MRT, Zhangs patient may have never had her little boy.

See the original post:
Genetics 2.0: Scientists Have Officially Created New Kind of Child - Futurism

WHILE most Australian dairy farms are bull-free zones relying entirely on artificial insemination to impregnate their cows, AI in beef herds is also growing in both seedstock and commercial herds.

Despite a significant seedstock operation like Lawsons Angus leading the way by being 100 percent AI and ET reliant in conceptions, bulls remain dominant for calf getting in many stud and commercial beef herds.

Beef breed organisations are encouraging use of AI and embryo transfer to fast-track genetic improvement and improve linkages between herds to enhance selection intensity.

When superior genetics are identified, artificial breeding can replicate them at a much faster rate than by natural service where a bull may leave 50 calves a year. Through AI, a bull of superior genetic merit can produce thousands of offspring.

Thehumorous old adage, No one has ever been gored by an inseminator highlights the differences between natural and artificial mating.

Angus leads the way in artificial breeding in the Australian seedstock industry, with around 55 percent of its 75,000 calves recorded in all registers last year the product of AI and ET breeding.

Based on an average price of $50/straw for semen and $20/cow for fixed-time sychronised inseminations and a 60pc conception rate, Australias stud Angus breeders spent $5 million last year on AI programs, and sold more than 8000 artificially-bred bulls for around $56 million.

Semen companies in Australia market imported and domestic beef sire semen on 50-50 ratio from Angus-dominated catalogues.

While some artificial breeding companies buy bulls, many are leased from their breeders, health checked and collected under registered conditions and often returned to the owners when sufficient straws are in the can.

One instance of a company buying into a top bull was ABS, as a member of a syndicate that spent $150,000 on a highly-credentialed bull at the 2015 Millah Murrah Angus sale.

Industry veteran Bill Cornell of ABS said that 60pc of ABSs Angus semen sales were to seedstock producers, while 40pc went to commercial Angus breeders.

There is money to be made in the semen industry.

Last month Reiland Angus and a commercial producer sold a semen share in Reiland Hilary H874 to New Zealand for $25,000. At the 2016 Wagyu conference, a package of 10 straws of semen from a Mayura Fullblood Wagyu bull sold for $30,500 or $3050.straw to a United Kingdom buyer. The doner sire sits in the top 1pc of Wagyus Fullblood terminal Index (FTI).

Other breeds have not utilised AI as much as Angus, with the average registrations of AI calves in the Wagyu herd book for the past three years has been 18pc AI, 8pc ET and 74pc natural. In the Hereford breed in 2016, 19pc of calves were the results of AI while 2pc were from ET.

Hereford Australias CEO Dr Alex Ball said increased use of AI and ET would bring more selection intensity to the breed, and pointed to the imminent introduction of Single Step Genomics as a great move for the industry. Earlier and more accurate EBVs will result.

While widespread use of AI can potentially magnify recessive conditions in bulls, if they exist, DNA testing for these conditions has dramatically lowered that risk.

All Angus semen donor sires are tested free or free by pedigree of known recessive conditions, according to Angus Australias Andrew Byrne.

A trend has been towards more expensive sexed semen. In the beef industrys current herd rebuilding stage, female sexed semen is the most popular.

An 87pc heifer drop can be expected from female sexed semen, service providers suggest. An added benefit is the ease of calving when sexed female semen is used over maiden heifers.

The beef industry is still playing catch-up with the dairy industry in genetic discovery and herd improvement.

In the Holstein Australia herd book, around 75pc of the calves are by AI. The use of genomics in the Holstein population means that an eight weeks old calf can have high accuracy performance figures.

Alta Genetics has made an innovative move to provide tropical breed genetics to the world by breeding bos Indicus semen in Canada, where cattle live in snow for parts of the year.

Alta identified a demand for South American bos Indicus cattle which cant be exported directly from those countries. As a result, they have imported South American embryos into Canada and bred bulls to produce semen which is now exported to tropical countries world-wide.

Next week: We explore more issues surrounding the use of artificial breeding in beef.

More:
Weekly genetics review: Artificial breeding gathering momentum - Beef Central