Vigilant Biosciences Announces New Distribution Partnership Agreements for OncAlert® Oral Cancer Product Line for Spain, Portugal and Germany

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. and DUSSELDORF, Germany, Nov. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Vigilant Biosciences, Inc. ("Vigilant"), a leading innovator and developer of solutions that aid in the early detection and intervention of cancer, today announced exclusive multi-year distribution agreement for sales and marketing of its OncAlert^® Oral Cancer product line in Spain, Portugal and Germany.

Vigilant Biosciences made the announcement in conjunction with the MEDICA Trade Fair, where the Company is showcasing its OncAlert Oral Cancer product line in Hall 16, booth #D04.

Vigilant Biosciences' new distribution partners include the IVD distribution company Moldionics, S.L., for the distribution of the OncAlert Oral Cancer product line to the dental and medical markets in Spain and Portugal; and Concile GmbH for the distribution of the OncAlert Oral Cancer product line to the dental and media markets in Germany. As part of the new multi-year deals, the OncAlert Oral Cancer product line will be available to customers in these regions starting early 2017.

The Company has previously announced multiple distribution agreements throughout Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia/Pacific. The new agreements will further expand Vigilant Biosciences' reach throughout Europe and support the company's goal to deliver accurate and cost-effective tools to aid clinicians in the detection and treatment of oral cancer.

"Throughout Spain and Portugal, millions of people are at risk for developing oral cancer," said Iñigo Yandiola, Managing Director of Moldionics, S.L. "By using simple, non-invasive, and cost-effective tools to help aid in the detection of the disease in its earliest stages, dental and medical professionals will be able to improve outcomes for thousands of patients who develop oral cancer each year."

"Oral cancer is a growing problem in our region and worldwide, particularly with the increase in HPV-related oral cancer," said Franz Maier, Managing Director of Concile GmbH. "Having easy-to-use tools to aid in the detection of oral cancer earlier, when it is more treatable, will help us save lives. There is a clear need in the market for the OncAlert products."

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the 5-year prevalence of head and neck cancer to be 29,950 in Spain, 8,250 in Portugal and 70,900 in Germany. In addition, according to WHO reports, more than 21.48 million people in Spain, 5.51 million in Portugal and 35.38 million in Germany are at risk for oral cancer due to factors inducing smoking, heavy drinking and having been diagnosed with HPV – all key risk factors for oral cancer.

"Vigilant Biosciences is pleased to announce that we have further expanded the distribution of the OncAlert product line with these recent agreements," said Matthew H.J. Kim, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vigilant Biosciences. "As we have seen global oral cancer rates on the rise in recent years, early-stage detection has become increasingly more critical. With the help of our partners like Moldionics and Concile GmbH, we will be able to provide an easy-to-use, accurate and cost-effective way to aid in the detection of the disease in its earliest stages, to help impact deaths from this disease."

About the OncAlert Oral Cancer Product Line
Vigilant Biosciences OncAlert Oral Cancer product line is based on patented technology that measures soluble CD44, a tumor-initiating and stem cell-associated biomarker, and total protein levels – markers clinically validated to be associated specifically with oral cancer – to aid clinicians in the early detection and intervention of oral cancer. The simple, oral rinse procedure is easy to administer and non-invasive for the patient.  The OncAlert Oral Cancer product line currently includes the OncAlert Oral Cancer RAPID Test and the OncAlert Oral Cancer LAB Test, both CE Marked and available in select markets outside the United States. The accurate, cost-effective tests can benefit every adult, with particular emphasis on high-risk populations (i.e., current and former tobacco users, those who consume excessive alcohol, and people with human papillomavirus).

About Oral Cancer
According to the World Health Organization, there are more than 529,000 new cases of oral (lip, oral cavity and pharynx) cancer each year worldwide, with mortality rates that reach up to 292,000 deaths each year. In the United States, more than 48,000 individuals will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year with more than 9,500 deaths resulting from this disease, killing roughly one person per hour, 24 hours per day. Historically the death rate associated with this cancer is particularly high due to late-stage diagnosis and intervention. Currently, the vast majority of patients are detected through a visual exam and/or are symptomatic, at which point they are likely late stage. As a result, oral cancer often goes undetected to the point of metastasizing. For those who survive oral cancer diagnosed in the later stages, the treatment is painful, debilitating and often disfiguring. In addition, patients often struggle with eating and drinking, communicating and self image. Early detection (stage I and II) of oral cancer yields survival rates of up to 90 percent.

For more information or to set up a meeting with Vigilant Biosciences at MEDICA, please contact Jennifer Moritz at [email protected].

About Vigilant Biosciences, Inc.
Vigilant Biosciences is a leading innovator and developer of solutions that aid clinicians in the early detection and intervention of cancer. The Vigilant Biosciences OncAlert^® Oral Cancer product line and OncAlert Labs product line include point-of-care and lab-based products and services that are simple, accurate and cost-effective and that can empower healthcare practitioners to improve potential outcomes through earlier intervention. The OncAlert Oral Cancer LAB Test and the OncAlert Oral Cancer RAPID Test are CE Marked and available in select international markets outside the U.S. The OraMark™ Test is a Laboratory Developed Test that is only available in the U.S. exclusively through OncAlert Labs, LLC, a CLIA-certified laboratory and a member of the Vigilant Biosciences family of companies. For more information, visit www.vigilantbiosciences.com and www.oncalertlabs.com.

About Moldionics
Moldionics is a biotechnology company that specializes in the distribution of ready-to-use reagents for the in-vitro diagnostics. Moldionics is dedicated to leading clinical diagnostic laboratory techniques – ranging from the traditional cell cultures to the most innovative developments in the field of molecular biology.

About Concile GmbH
Concile GmbH develops, produces and distributes innovation medical rapid tests for the diagnosis of various diseases. The Company's focus is to provide meaningful, quantifiable and economical rapid tests that can be used by medical professionals in the field.

About Vigilant Biosciences, Inc.
Vigilant Biosciences is a leading innovator and developer of solutions that aid clinicians in the early detection and intervention of cancer. The Vigilant Biosciences OncAlert^® Oral Cancer product line and the OraMark™ Test by OncAlert Labs include point-of-care and lab-based products and services that are simple, accurate and cost-effective and that can empower healthcare practitioners to improve potential outcomes through earlier intervention. The OncAlert Oral Cancer LAB Test and the OncAlert Oral Cancer RAPID Test are CE Marked and available in select international markets outside the U.S. The OraMark Test is a Laboratory Developed Test (LDT) that is only available in the U.S. exclusively through OncAlert Labs, LLC, a CLIA-certified laboratory and a member of the Vigilant Biosciences family of companies. For more information, visit www.vigilantbiosciences.com and www.oncalertlabs.com.

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SOURCE Vigilant Biosciences, Inc.

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