Contacts:
Tobias Zutz, Gregor Diagnostics
Tobias.zutz@gregordiagnostics.
(920) 901-4950
Jeanan Yasiri Moe, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
jyasirimoe@warf.org
(608) 890-1491
Madison, Wis., Sept. 12, 2017 – Gregor Diagnostics Inc., a molecular diagnostics company developing a groundbreaking new screening test for prostate cancer, and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), the private non-profit patenting and licensing organization for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, today announced that they have entered into an exclusive license agreement. The agreement grants exclusive rights to Gregor for intellectual property covering biomarkers that Gregor anticipates developing and commercializing as part of a unique screening test for the detection and characterization of prostate cancer from seminal fluid.
“Prostate cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in American men,” said Erik Iverson, WARF’s Managing Director. “When detected early, prostate cancer has a far better chance of successful treatment. WARF is delighted to partner with Gregor Diagnostics on advancing this technology that will surely positively impact opportunities for early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.”
The agreement covers a panel of DNA methylation biomarkers that can inform treatment. The biomarkers were discovered in the lab of Dr. David Jarrard at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center. The agreement also covers methods for the detection of the AMACR protein that were discovered by Dr. Jarrard’s lab in collaboration with Dr. Wei Huang at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. These technologies, in addition to others yet to be disclosed, provide a base for Gregor to develop a new prostate cancer screening test to detect prostate cancer in its earliest stages of development and to aid in the differentiation of slow-growing or aggressive disease.
“We are excited to move forward as a partner with WARF as we develop our groundbreaking prostate cancer screening test,” said Tobias Zutz, CEO of Gregor Diagnostics. “WARF’s expertise and professionalism in managing intellectual property, its value as a partner as intellectual property is commercialized and reputation in the industry are valuable assets as we move forward.”
The finalization of this license agreement is an important milestone for Gregor and highlights the progress the company continues to make in 2017.
About Gregor Diagnostics
Gregor Diagnostics Inc. (www.gregordiagnostics.com) is a molecular diagnostics startup company developing a groundbreaking new screening test for prostate cancer. Gregor Diagnostics’ patient-friendly test will be the first diagnostic to detect prostate cancer at the earliest stages of the disease and differentiate between indolent and aggressive cancer upon detection. This will result in decreased overdiagnosis and overtreatment of indolent prostate cancer, and more effective detection and management of aggressive prostate cancer.
About WARF
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) helps steward the cycle of research, discovery, commercialization and investment for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Founded in 1925 as an independent, nonprofit foundation, WARF manages more than 1,700 licensing agreements and an investment portfolio of $2.6 billion as it funds university research, obtains patents for campus discoveries and licenses inventions to industry. For more information, visit warf.org.
