For Immediate Release
June 07, 2005

Orion Genomics and Andrew Feinberg, M.D., Collaborate to Explore the Role of DNA's "Second Code" in Colon Cancer

ST. LOUIS, MO - June 7, 2005 - Orion Genomics announced today that it is collaborating with Andrew P. Feinberg, MD, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, to better understand the role of DNA’s “Second Code” in colon cancer and to enable the development of a simple new diagnostic test for its early detection. In the collaboration, Orion and Feinberg will study the pattern of chemical groups known as DNA’s Second Code, or DNA methylation, that regulate the function of genes. The Second Code has been found on DNA sequence and is believed to be involved in the development of many cancers, including colon cancer.

Feinberg will generate high-resolution maps of Second Code patterns from cancerous and normal colon tissue using Orion’s MethylScope® technology. The maps will show how genes are regulated differently in cancerous and normal tissues, and may reveal biomarkers to detect cancerous cells in body fluids. Orion intends to use the maps as the foundation for the development of a new type of molecular diagnostic tests for colon cancer.

“DNA’s Second Code is a type of language that communicates many biological messages, and can indicate whether cancer is present in the body, how far it has progressed, and how it can best be treated,” said Nathan Lakey, President and CEO of Orion Genomics. “With our technologies, we are able to find and interpret this important biological language. Through this collaboration, we look forward to advancing development of new tests for early colon cancer detection.”

Dr. Feinberg is a world-renowned expert in DNA methylation and cancer and is Professor of Medicine, Molecular Biology & Genetics, and Oncology at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. According to Dr. Feinberg, the role of DNA methylation in cancer and other diseases has only recently been implicated and technologies that can quickly, accurately, and cost-effectively decipher and compare DNA methylation maps might help improve understanding.

About Colon Cancer

The American Cancer Society estimated that in 2004 colon and rectal cancer was the third leading cause of death due to cancer in both men and women. In United States 146,940 of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed each year and 56,730 deaths will occur.

About DNA Methylation

Each cell in the body must store, express and copy an approximate 2-meters length of DNA, which is 200,000 times the width of the cell. An elaborate mechanism for packaging the DNA is required by the body to store it. DNA methylation is a chemical sequence found on the outside of DNA sequence, which encodes DNA packaging instructions. DNA methylation helps to control this process of gene activation and silencing, since it is stable, and heritable during cell division.

About Dr. Andrew Feinberg

Dr. Feinberg pioneered the field of cancer epigenetics in the 1980's, and has identified widespread alterations in DNA methylation in cancer, as well as human imprinted genes that are expressed from a specific parental allele. He has developed several techniques in molecular biology, including random priming, microallelotyping, hot-stop PCR, and the use of muntjac hybrids for chromosome purification. He is currently director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Epigenetics in Common Human Disease.

About Orion Genomics

Orion Genomics is the Second Code™ biotechnology company developing oncology diagnostic products and generating revenue in a hybrid products-services model. Orion’s various proprietary technologies, trademarked as GeneThresher, MethylScope®, and MethylScreen, detect both normal and abnormal epigenetic patterns of genes and genomes and are used in various molecular diagnostic and agricultural biotechnology applications. For more information, visit us at http://www.oriongenomics.com.