Almost half of Zöller-KipperGmbH’s employees in Germany participated in the screening program so far using ColoAlert®, Mainz Biomed’s user-friendly, at-home colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test
BERKELEY, Calif. and MAINZ, Germany, Oct. 31, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mainz Biomed NV (NASDAQ:MYNZ) (“Mainz Biomed” or the “Company”), a molecular genetics diagnostic company specializing in the early detection of cancer, announced positive interim results from its CRC screening campaign through its BGM (“betriebliches Gesundheitsmanagement”) partnership with Zöller-Kipper GmbH, part of the Zöller group with more than 2,600 employees. The partnership was launched in April 2023, when Zöller-Kipper selected ColoAlert®, Mainz Biomed’s highly efficacious and easy-to-use screening test for CRC, for its corporate health program.
"We are delighted that nearly half of Zöller-Kipper's employees in Germany have embraced our CRC screening campaign. The promising interim results further fuel our commitment to expanding the accessibility of ColoAlert® and ensuring as many people as possible can benefit from potentially lifesaving screening," commented Guido Baechler, Chief Executive Officer of Mainz Biomed. "Colorectal cancer is the second most lethal form of cancer, and early detection is paramount in enhancing treatment options and survival rates. We are immensely grateful to Zöller-Kipper for their invaluable collaboration and for having such a progressive approach to employee welfare. This initiative sets a very strong precedent for our future collaborations with companies across Germany and Europe."
Using Mainz Biomed’s online portal, Zöller-Kipper employees registered to have the ColoAlert® test mailed to them. Once the sample was received and processed, confidential test results were sent back to the employee through the portal, along with an explanation of the results. If an employee had approved for a physician to be notified of test results, then their doctor could directly follow-up with the patient. As part of its commitment to the BGM program, Mainz Biomed provided education to employees and physicians on CRC and recommendations on next steps.
“As the leading supplier of waste disposal vehicles and electric and hydraulic lifters in Europe, we at Zöller-Kipper are convinced our employees and their health are our biggest strength. The participant rates confirm that partnering with Mainz Biomed to offer their convenient CRC screening test is a worthy investment,” said Irina Riffel, Head of HR of Zöller-Kipper. “CRC is a devastating disease, and we are extremely pleased to provide our team members with a solution that is easily applicable and allows for reliable and fast results. The feedback we received from the participants was positive throughout. We are grateful for the successful partnership with Mainz Biomed, their exceptional service and are looking forward to continuing our collaboration.”
About ColoAlert® ColoAlert®, Mainz Biomed’s flagship product, delivers high sensitivity and specificity in a user-friendly, at-home colorectal cancer (CRC) screening kit. This non-invasive test can be indicative of tumors as determined by analyzing tumor DNA, offering better early detection than fecal occult blood tests (FOBT). Based on PCR-technology, ColoAlert® detects more cases of colorectal cancer than other stool tests and allows for an earlier diagnosis (Dollinger et al., 2018). The product is commercially available in select EU countries through a network of leading independent laboratories, corporate health programs and via direct sales. To receive marketing approval in the US, ColoAlert® will be evaluated in the FDA-registration trial ‘ReconAAsense.’ Once approved in the US, the Company’s commercial strategy is to establish scalable distribution through a collaborative partner program with regional and national laboratory service providers across the country.
About Colorectal Cancer Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer globally, with more than 1.9 million new cases reported in 2020, according to World Cancer Research Fund International. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that screening with stool DNA tests such as ColoAlert® should be conducted once every three years starting at age 45. Each year in the US, 16.6 million colonoscopies are performed. However, roughly one-third of US residents aged 50-75 have never been screened for colon cancer. This gap in screening represents a $4.0B+ total market opportunity in the US.
About Mainz Biomed N.V. Mainz Biomed develops market-ready molecular genetic diagnostic solutions for life-threatening conditions. The Company’s flagship product is ColoAlert®, an accurate, non-invasive and easy-to-use, early-detection diagnostic test for colorectal cancer based on real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction-based (PCR) multiplex detection of molecular-genetic biomarkers in stool samples. ColoAlert® is currently marketed across Europe. The Company is running a pivotal FDA clinical study for US regulatory approval. Mainz Biomed’s product candidate portfolio also includes PancAlert, an early-stage pancreatic cancer screening test. To learn more, visit mainzbiomed.com.
Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements made in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “estimate”, “plan”, “outlook”, and “project” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements reflect the current analysis of existing information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. As a result, caution must be exercised in relying on forward-looking statements. Due to known and unknown risks, actual results may differ materially from the Company’s expectations or projections. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements: (i) the failure to meet projected development and related targets; (ii) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (iii) the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company and its current or intended markets; and (iv) other risks and uncertainties described herein, as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed from time to time in other reports and other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by the Company. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact the Company’s expectations and projections can be found in its initial filings with the SEC, including its annual report on Form 20-F filed on April 7, 2023. The Company’s SEC filings are available publicly on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to Mainz Biomed and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Mainz Biomed undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.
