18 December 2019

ABCODIA AND ASTRAZENECA CHINA FORGE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TO IMPROVE EARLY DETECTION OF OVARIAN CANCER

CAMBRIDGE, England – 17 December, 2019 – Abcodia, a leader in early cancer detection, today announces a strategic partnership with AstraZeneca China, focusing on the early detection of ovarian cancer. With Abcodia’s ROCA Test as the central technology, the parties will collaborate to establish ovarian cancer early detection networks across China.

The intent of the collaboration fits strategically with AstraZeneca’s mission to improve cancer outcomes, in support of the Chinese government’s ‘Healthy China 2030’ initiative, which includes a focus on early screening, early diagnosis and early treatment, thus reducing cancer morbidity and mortality and improving the quality of life of patients.

This announcement follows on from Abcodia’s commitment to locate its China subsidiary in Wuxi, on the newly formed I·Campus, which has been created by Wuxi National High-Tech Industrial Development Zone and AstraZeneca China. Abcodia is also pleased to announce that it has now secured its business licence for its Abcodia subsidiary and now plans to secure ‘on the ground’ expertise to support its expanded footprint.

With a population of over 170 million women in China over the age of 50, ovarian cancer will continue to pose significant burden on individuals and Chinese healthcare systems. Recent data released from the China National Cancer Centre (NCC)1 reaffirmed 17,000 deaths from ovarian cancer in 2015 and 34,000 new cases diagnosed annually. Recurrence of ovarian cancer occurs in over 70% of treatment of all patients, and prolonged illness is painful, and treatment is very costly.

Dr Julie Barnes, CEO Abcodia said, “This partnership with AstraZeneca China is another key step forward in helping us establish our innovative early detection product in China. We are excited to work closely with AstraZeneca China’s oncology business unit and clinical experts from hospitals across China to define the best practical solution to allow access for patients. The timing of this partnership alongside the recent approval of AstraZeneca’s PARP inhibitor, Lynparza for maintenance therapy for ovarian cancer holds great promise for transforming the management and outcomes of ovarian cancer”

Tina Xu, VP of AstraZeneca China, Head of Digital and Commercial Innovation said, “Wuxi International Life Science Innovation Campus is a platform developed to gather global healthcare wisdom and innovative forces. We are delighted that Abcodia has now secured its business license to establish its operations from the I·Campus and under this additional strategic partnership, we look forward to working closely with Abcodia in the field of ovarian cancer. Aiming to build a life science innovation ecosystem with our partners, we hope to benefit patients in China and around the world.”

Dr Andy Richards, CBE, Chairman Abcodia added, “I have been truly impressed at the way that the AstraZeneca team in China has worked with Abcodia. The AstraZeneca vision for integrated oncology care which includes early detection and diagnosis is important and ambitious and will result in improved outcomes. In ovarian cancer this vision is highly aligned with that of Abcodia. The Abcodia team is looking forward to a deep and long-term collaboration with AstraZeneca China and to working with the dynamic community that is being created on the I·Campus.”

1. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-05/26/c_138091763.htm

About Abcodia

Abcodia Ltd is a clinical stage company engaged in the commercial development of novel tests for the early detection of cancer. The Company’s first product is the ROCA Test for the early detection of ovarian cancer. Abcodia’s products are based on the measurement and modelling dynamic changes of clinical variables including test results from serum-based markers before cancer is clinically diagnosed. To support its early cancer detection business, the company holds exclusive commercial access to a biobank of five million serum samples donated from more than 200,000 individuals over a 10-year period.

Abcodia is a privately held company, located in Cambridge U.K. and funded through investments from Albion Ventures, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Scottish Equity Partners and UCL Business. For more information, visit http://www.abcodia.com/.

About the ROCA® Test

Abcodia’s first product, the ROCA Test indicates a woman’s likelihood of having ovarian cancer. The ROCA Test is intended for postmenopausal women aged between 50 and 85, or for certain women between 35 and 85 years of age who are considered to have a higher risk due to family history of ovarian or breast cancer or genetic mutations in, for example, the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. The ROCA test has been evaluated as part of a multimodal screening strategy in several prospective clinical trials in both the U.K. and U.S. involving more than 215,000 women over the past 15 years. The results of those studies show that the ROCA Test, when used with appropriate transvaginal ultrasound as the follow up test, has a higher performance than other currently available methods that have been evaluated prospectively in healthy women. In the clinical studies, the ROCA Test detects the majority of ovarian cancer cases before the first signs or symptoms of ovarian cancer appear.

The ROCA Test is CE marked and is currently available in the UK through private clinics and is being implemented in the NHS for BRCA mutation carriers. The test is not registered yet by the China Regulatory Authority. For more information, visit http://www.therocatest.co.uk

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas - Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, and Respiratory. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
UK MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephanie Sutton ([email protected])
Abcodia Ltd