ESPERITE (ESP) in Vatican with John Paul II Foundation for Research and Molipharma, subsidiaries of CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF THE SACRED HEART
Esperite's GENOMA jointly with Catholic University of the Sacred Heart's FONDAZIONE GIOVANNI PAOLO II and MOLIPHARMA will develop NGS-based tests in Italy and project new diagnotics.
Genoma consolidates its position in Europe expanding its Genetic Cloud and Network in Italy and establishing its genetic Center of Excellence for Italy

Zutphen, The Netherlands - 20 August 2015
Esperite (Euronext: ESP) partners with the John Paul II Foundation for Research and Molipharma (both from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart) to establish one of the largest genetic analysis laboratory in Italy. Genoma, the genetic division of ESPERITE, will provide the technology based on Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and the equipment to perform advanced genetic tests.

The Precision Medicine Center, to be housed in John Paul II Foundation for Research's facilities, will conduct scientific research and develop new genetic tests. The center will promote the benefits of predictive medicine from a clinical point of view, improving the access of the population to predictive medicine technologies, and offering from the onset Genoma's genetic tests to its patients.

The initial phase comprises the send-out of samples for genetic analysis at Genoma's state-of-the-art lab in Geneva, Switzerland, the largest clinical genetic center in Europe, using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies.

Tranquility and Serenity genetic tests will be offered immediately.

Tranquility is the most complete non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) CE-IVD certified using circulating cell-free DNA for the accurate detection of trisomies and other chromosomal abnormalities.

Serenity is the hereditary breast and ovarian cancer risk screening test that sequences the entire BRCA 1 and BRCA2 coding regions and detects all variants for early detection of genetic predisposition to these cancers.

Once the laboratory, planned for year end 2015, is set-up and the technology transfer completed, Genoma's Genetic diagnostics: Tranquility, Serenity, and further tests when available will be performed in Italy in full compliance with the recent guidelines from the Ministry of Health in Italy.

The agreement includes scientific dissemination activities and ambitious research programs in oncology and other fields of expertise to develop new genetic tests.

The partnership will pool synergistically the scientific know-how, skills and expertise from each of the parties involved. Genoma's technology, bioinformatics platform, NGS expertise, CE-IVD certified processes and operating procedures. The John Paul II Foundation for Research's support of its laboratories and staff, certifying procedures and reports. Molipharma's world-class clinical expertise with its panels of geneticists, oncologists and surgeons, with a strong scientific background. The agreement is signed for an initial period of five years renewable for a subsequent five-year period.

The John Paul II Foundation for Research (Fondazione di Ricerca e Cura Giovanni Paolo II) is a center of expertise for oncology, cardiovascular disease and medicine as part of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart. Classified as a highly specialized "Research Institute", it has won many awards since it started activities in 2003.

Molipharma, is a spin-off of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, active in the pharmaceutical sector. Following the proposal presented by Prof. Giovanni Scambia, it was established in 2011.

Giovanni Meliadò, President of Molipharma: "We believe that the scientific synergy with Esperite and the Fondazione Giovanni Paolo II will lead to the achievement of important objectives in research, allowing the validation of new tests useful for the prevention of widespread oncological diseases, the development of which has long been engaged by Molipharma ".

Frederic Amar, CEO of ESPERITE group: "Esperite continues its expansion strategy, establishing partnerships with some of the most prestigious health institutions in Europe to spread the benefits of preventive and personalised medicine. We are proud to partner with Fondazione Giovanni Paolo II and Molipharma and contribute to advancements in healthcare".