Q&A

 

When was DiagnoCure founded?

DiagnoCure was founded in 1994. Dr Yves Fradet, who was one of the founders, is still part of the management. He was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of DiagnoCure on January 14, 2010, and President of DiagnoCure on February 15, 2010.

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What is DiagnoCure’s core business?

DiagnoCure is a life sciences company that develops high-value cancer diagnostic tests that increase clinician and patient confidence in making critical treatment decisions.

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Where is DiagnoCure’s head office located?

DiagnoCure’s head office is located in Quebec City, the city in which it was originally founded in 1994.  The head office also hosts the R&D facilities of the Company.

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Does DiagnoCure have offices in other provinces or in other countries?

No. In June 2011, DiagnoCure sold its U.S. CLIA service laboratory to Signal Genetics.

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How many employees work at DiagnoCure?

After the sale of its U.S. laboratory, DiagnoCure has 20 employees.

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On which trading market is DiagnoCure listed? What is the symbol?

DiagnoCure’s stock is traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada (www.tsx.com) under the symbol CUR.

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Where can I get a copy of the filings DiagnoCure is required to make?

You can get copies of the Company’s mandatory filings on SEDAR www.sedar.com

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How can I stay up to date on information about DiagnoCure?

You can subscribe to DiagnoCure’s News Alerts by clicking here

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What is DiagnoCure’s fiscal year?

DiagnoCure’s fiscal year starts November 1 and ends October 31. The Company’s quarter ends are January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31. Typically, an annual general meeting of the shareholders is held in March.

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Who is on DiagnoCure’s Board of Directors?

For a current list of names and biographies of the Company’s directors, click here.

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How many shares of DiagnoCure stock are outstanding?

As at October 31, 2010, there were 42.9 million outstanding ordinary shares of DiagnoCure stock.

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Are there major investors in DiagnoCure?

DiagnoCure’s shareholders base is composed of institutional investors and retail investors. No single investor holds a majority position. 

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Have you issued preferred shares?

In May 2009, as part of their collaboration amendment, Gen-Probe acquired 4.9 million shares of newly issued DiagnoCure convertible preferred stock for US$5.0 million.

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How many products has DiagnoCure brought to market?

DiagnoCure brought three products to market since 1994.

The first one was a diagnostic test for bladder cancer, ImmunoCyt™/uCyt+™, which was launched in 2000. In 2008, the Company divested this product to Scimedx because it no longer fit within the molecular diagnostic focus of DiagnoCure.

The second test DiagnoCure launched in 2003 was a PCA3-based test for prostate cancer, uPM3™. The Company out-licensed the PCA3 marker to Gen-Probe.  In 2005, Gen-Probe introduced a second generation of a PCA3 test in the U.S. under a limited format (analyte specific reagents), and in 2006, it launched PROGENSA® PCA3 under full CE mark in Europe. DiagnoCure receives royalty payments from PCA3 sales.  In September 2010, Gen-Probe filed a Premarket approval application with the U.S. FDA aiming for full commercialization of the PCA3 test.

In 2008, DiagnoCure launched its third test, the Previstage™ GCC Colorectal Cancer Staging Test. Since June 2011, this test is offered by Signal Genetics.  The test detects metastases in lymph nodes removed during the colorectal cancer surgery, identifying patients who may be at increased risk of developing recurrent disease and who could most benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.

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Does DiagnoCure commercialize its own products?

Depending on the type of test, the target market, and the geographic area, DiagnoCure may decide to commercialize its tests through different channels:

  • Through its own sales team (for example, initially for the Previstage™ GCC test in the U.S.), or
  • Through distribution partnerships, or
  • By granting a license on the marker or test (for example, the PCA3 marker on which DiagnoCure granted a worldwide license to Gen-Probe).

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Does DiagnoCure have any partnerships?

DiagnoCure has several academic and commercial partners. One major partner is Gen-Probe Inc. for the development and commercialization of the PCA3 test for prostate cancer. In 2009, Gen-Probe invested US$5 million in DiagnoCure. More recently, in June 2011, DiagnoCure also signed a collaboration agreement with Signal Genetics for the commercialization of the Previstage™ GCC colorectal cancer staging test.

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