Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Awards Dr. Lonneborg and the Team at DiaGenic ASA for Best Scientific Journal Article in 2011

Oslo May 2nd 2012– Anders Lönneborg Ph.D., has been chosen as recipient of the 2011 Alzheimer Award presented by the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease in recognition of his outstanding work, “A Novel Blood Test for the Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease”, (J Alzheimers Dis 23, 121-129, 2011) by A. Lönneborg et al.

“My co-authors and I are extremely pleased to have been chosen by a distinguished group of peers as the recipients of this year’s Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease award for our work on the development of ADtect®, the 96-gene expression test for detection of early Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr. Lönneborg.

Each year the Associate Editors of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease vote to select an outstanding article from the previous year's volumes to receive this prestigious award, which is made possible by support from IOS Press and Elan Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Lönneborg will be presented with the bronze Alzheimer Medal with the likeness of Alois Alzheimer. Dr. Lönneborg and the team investigated the diagnostic value of a 96-gene expression test for detection of early AD, the now CE marked ADtect® test. A disease classification algorithm was developed and was validated in two steps using two independent test sets. A similar accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were achieved both in the initial analysis and in the two independent test sets. When compared with available CSF biomarker data high agreement was found.

Dr. Lönneborg goes on to suggest that the gene expression test using a convenient blood sample can aid the diagnosis of mild to moderate AD.

Anders Lönneborg, Ph.D., received his degree in molecular plant physiology from the University of Umeå, Sweden in 1986. After a Post-Doc in molecular plant biology at Michigan State University under the mentorship of Prof. Chris Somerville, followed by working as Research Scientist at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences and as Senior Scientist at the Norwegian Forest Research Institute, Dr. Lönneborg was acknowledged competence as professor in 1995. In 1998 he founded DiaGenic with Dr. Praveen Sharma, where he has served as Research Director since the company’s inception and CEO from 2003-2007. DiaGenic’s focus has always been to develop blood-based tests based on gene expression to aid the diagnosis of important diseases, primarily neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. The company aims to develop companion diagnostics and biomarkers to aid the development of novel treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.

Journalists wishing to obtain the full text of the article “A Novel Blood Test for the Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease”, (J Alzheimers Dis 23, 121-129, 2011) by A. Lönneborg et al. should contact Daphne Watrin at +31 20 688 3355 or d.watrin@iospress.nl.

Journalists wishing to interview Dr. Lönneborg should contact +47 995 75 324, or email: anders.lonneborg@diagenic.com

AUTHORS

Phil D. Rye, Birgitte Boonstra Booij, Gisle Grave, Torbjørn Lindahl, Lena Kristiansen, Hilde-Marie Andersen, Peter O. Horndalsveen, Harald A. Nygaard, Mala Naik, Dagne Hoprekstad, Peter Wetterberg, Christer Nilsson, Dag Aarsland, Praveen Sharma, Anders Lönneborg.

About DiaGenic ASA

DiaGenic seeks to create value for patients, partners, and investors by developing innovative and more patient friendly methods for early detection of diseases utilizing DiaGenic’s unique concept. The concept implies that a disease evokes systemic responses in the blood unique for the disease, and which can be measured by using blood samples.

DiaGenic is a world leader in identifying these gene expression signatures in peripheral blood and is focused on the development of biomarkers in the field of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. DiaGenic’s Alzheimer’s disease development program includes the CE marked diagnostic test ADtect®, for detection of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, and MCItect® which is under development for identifying patients with very early stages of Alzheimer’s disease (prodromal AD).

DiaGenic’s concept is protected through an extensive patent portfolio. DiaGenic promotes its products and services towards leading pharmaceutical, imaging, and diagnostic companies. DiaGenic is located in Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. For more information please visit: www.diagenic.com

Corporate Inquiries Henrik Lund, CEO

DiaGenic ASA, Grenseveien 92, NO-0663 Oslo, Norway

Tel +47 90971219 Email: henrik.lund@diagenic.com

Media Inquiries Amanda Hayhurst, Gloucester Road Communications

Tel +44 (0) 772 0205581 Email: amanda@amandahayhurst.com

About the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease

The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (http://www.j-alz.com) is an international multidisciplinary journal to facilitate progress in understanding the etiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, genetics, behavior, treatment and psychology of Alzheimer's disease. Groundbreaking research that has appeared in the journal includes novel therapeutic targets, mechanisms of disease and clinical trial outcomes. The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease has an Impact Factor of 4.261 according to Thomson Reuters' 2011 edition of Journal Citation Reports. It is ranked #19 on the Index Copernicus Top 100 Journal List. The Journal is published by IOS Press (www.iospress.com).

Back to news