Skyline Diagnostics and Clavis Pharma to Collaborate on Patient Selection Biomarker Discovery for Leukemia Drug elacytarabine

ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands, September 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

The Dutch biotech company Skyline Diagnostics B.V. (Skyline) and the Norwegian drug development company Clavis Pharma ASA (Clavis) disclosed signing a research agreement. Under this agreement, Skyline will investigate gene expression biomarkers for selection of individual Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) patients that may benefit from a new AML drug in development at Clavis. This drug, elacytarabine, is a novel elaidic acid derivative of cytarabine and currently undergoing the CLAVELA phase III study for treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory AML.

"For Clavis and for elacytarabine this is an important collaboration. Skyline Diagnostics's expertise will be instrumental in searching for gene expression patterns that can be utilized in the further biomarker program of elacytarabine," said Athos Gianella-Borradori, CMO of Clavis Pharma, "this genomic approach adds to our currently ongoing patient selection based on  protein markers and will deepen our insights into the potential for precise and highly effective personalized medicines. It is our goal and vision that this collaboration with the experts of Skyline will bring better therapies to the many patients suffering from difficult-to-treat leukemia."

"After the successful launch of the AMLprofiler in Europe, we are pleased to further strengthen our companion diagnostics activities," said Henk Viëtor, CEO of Skyline.

"Pharma companies are recognizing the value of companion diagnostics in positioning their drugs. By applying our bioinformatics engine, product development and regulatory experience, we can add substantial value to the process of drug development. We look forward working together with Clavis Pharma on this exciting personalized medicine opportunity."

About Skyline Diagnostics B.V.

Skyline Diagnostics develops and markets array-based diagnostic tests for personalized medicine. Skyline's product the AMLprofiler simplifies AML diagnostics by replacing 7 separate assays by a single microarray-based test. The company has built strong collaborations with leading scientists and pharmaceutical companies and has several strategic alliances with industrial partners for distribution and manufacturing.

About Clavis Pharma ASA

Clavis Pharma ASA is a late clinical stage oncology discovery and drug development company with a portfolio of novel anti-cancer drugs in development. These patented New Chemical Entities (NCEs) are novel, improved versions of commercially successful drugs, made using Clavis Pharma's Lipid Vector Technology (LVT) chemistry. Data generated suggests these potential breakthrough products may offer improved efficacy and reduced side effects.

http://www.skyline-diagnostics.com

http://www.clavispharma.com