LABEC Pharma to Begin Selling Interleukin Genetics’ Heart Health Genetic Test in Europe
01/19/2010
Waltham, MA and Madrid, Spain – January 19, 2010 – Interleukin Genetics, Inc. (NYSE Amex: ILI) and LABEC Pharma, S.L. announced today that LABEC Pharma has met European regulatory guidelines to sell Interleukin Genetics’ Heart Health genetic test. The test, which helps to identify individuals at elevated risk for early heart attack, will be marketed to physicians in Spain and Portugal by LABEC Pharma under the product name CardioHealthTM. Samples will be processed at Interleukin Genetics’ CLIA-certified laboratory in Waltham, MA and the Company will receive royalties and processing fees for each test sold.
LABEC Pharma will begin selling the Cardio HealthTM genetic test in January 2010. The Interleukin Genetics Cardio HealthTM test is the first and only genetic test to identify multiple genetic variations that can lead to overproduction of certain chemicals in the body resulting in inflammation. Individuals with certain interleukin genotypes have a statistically significant risk above standard risk factors for heart attack over those individuals without these genetic patterns.
“We are pleased to begin our partnership with LABEC Pharma on distribution of our Cardio HealthTM genetic test to the physician community in two European Countries,” said Lewis H. Bender, CEO, Interleukin Genetics, Inc. “Physicians will now have the opportunity to identify patients at elevated risk for heart attack due to chronic underlying inflammation and recommend the appropriate action to improve health outcomes.”
“The Interleukin Genetics’ test is a unique product and has been validated by two independent clinical studies that demonstrated its ability to identify individuals with significantly elevated risk of heart attack,” said Javier de Echevarria, CEO, LABEC Pharma, “We are pleased to be able to offer this product to physicians treating Cardiovascular disease in Spain and Portugal and are confident it will provide very useful information to physicians.”
About Interleukin Genetics
Interleukin Genetics, Inc. (NYSE Amex: ILI) develops and markets genetic tests that empower consumers to prevent certain chronic diseases and that assist pharmaceutical companies in the development and marketing of targeted therapeutics. The Company leverages its research, intellectual property and biomarker development experience to facilitate the emerging personalized health market. Interleukin Genetics markets a line of genetic tests under the Inherent Health brand including Bone Health, Weight Management, Heart Health and Nutritional Needs. The Company is headquartered in Waltham, MA. For more information please visit www.ilgenetics.com.
About LABEC Pharma
LABEC Pharma, S.L. is a leading distributor of advanced diagnostic tests, with presence in Europe and Latin America. Focused on identifying state-of-the-art diagnostics, LABEC Pharma has partnership agreements with the leading hospitals and reference labs in the countries in which it operates, to make available those tests to physicians and patients. Amongst its products, LABEC Pharma distributes HPV OncoTect, a high predictive value early diagnostic test for cervical cancer. LABEC Pharma is headquartered in Madrid, Spain. For more information about LABEC Pharma, its products and ongoing programs, please visit: http://www.labec.net.
Certain statements contained herein are “forward-looking” statements including statements relating to the future use of the Cardio Health test by physicians in Spain and Portugal. Because such statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risk of market acceptance of the Company’s products, the risk of technology and product obsolescence, delays in product development, the performance of commercial partners, the availability of adequate capital, the actions of competitors and other competitive risks, and those risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company disclaims any obligation or intention to update these forward-looking statements.
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Contacts:
Media:
Erin Walsh
Interleukin Genetics
781-419-4707
ewalsh@ilgenetics.com
Cristina Guillen
Labec Pharma
(+34) 91 515 91 71
cguillen@labec.net