Grant Life Sciences in-licenses HPV DNA-based test from Alphagenics

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Grant Life Sciences Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: GLIF.OB) announced today that it has signed a final agreement with Alphagenics Diaco Biotechnologies S.r.l. (Italy) to exclusively in-license the manufacturing and marketing rights to Alphagenics’ molecular diagnostic test for human papillomaviruses (HPVs) in China and the United States and non-exclusively in all other countries.

The Alphagenics HPV test in-licensed by Grant is a DNA-based diagnostic that uses standard molecular diagnostic equipment found in most commercial laboratories. Alphagenics’ HPV DNA test complements the HPV blood test that Grant has been developing to detect the presence of antibodies produced only by cancer-causing HPV types. There are some 100 types of HPV; however, only about 7 to 15 HPV-types cause most cervical cancers. While a blood-based test to detect precancerous evidence and cancer of the cervix is still viewed by Grant Life Sciences as the preferred test-methodology to address the needs of the developing world, molecular (DNA) testing is currently the approved test protocol in both the U.S. and Europe to identify the presence of different subtypes of HPV in the cervix.

“Our introduction of the Alphagenics HPV test not only will allow commercial laboratories to provide molecular testing but will also complement the current introduction of vaccines against HPVs,” said Dr. Hun-Chi Lin, President and Chief Scientist, Grant Life Sciences. “The current approved vaccine in the U.S. provides for inoculation against four types of HPV for use in girls and women 9-to-26 years of age, who presumably have not been exposed to the viruses. However, women who have reached sexual maturity and have not been exposed to one of the four HPV-types may benefit from the vaccination, according to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Consequently, the Alphagenics test will be able to be used by the balance of the female population to determine exposure and the possible use of the vaccine if found negative. Further both vaccines on the market (GSK’s vaccine is approved for Australia for ages 10-to-45 and Merck’s vaccine is approved in the U.S. for ages 9-to-26) only confer protection against HPV oncogenic types 16 and 18. While these types are predominant (approximately 60+%) in the Caucasian market, there are other types that play significant roles in the Asian, African, Indian, and Hispanic populations. Fortunately, the Alphagenics test is designed to test for all the serotypes of oncogenic HPV.”

In addition, Dr. Lin said that the Alphagenics test will be able to be used in the current gynecological regimen to help qualify Pap test results in the case of ambiguous readings, at a cost less than the current approved molecular test. Grant expects to launch the Alphagenics HPV DNA-based test in the Asian and Indian markets during the first quarter of 2008 as an Analyte-Specific Reagent (ASR) to reference laboratories.

About Alphagenics Diaco Biotechnologies S.r.l.

Established in July 1996, Alphagenics Diaco Biotechnologies is one of the most specialized companies in Italy in the use of technical innovation in molecular biology for the production of kits for clinical and research use in oncology, bacteriology, virology and mycology.

About Grant Life Sciences Inc.

Grant Life Sciences engages in research, development, marketing, and sale of diagnostic kits for the screening, monitoring, and diagnosis of diseases with emphasis on women’s health, infectious diseases, and cancers.

Forward-Looking Safe Harbor Statement

With the exception of historical information, the matters discussed in this press release are "forward-looking statements" that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The actual future results of Grant Life Sciences could differ significantly from those statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include risks and uncertainties such as the inability to finance the company's operations or expansion, inability to hire and retain qualified personnel, changes in the general economic climate, including rising interest rates and unanticipated events such as terrorist activities, results of clinical trials, and market acceptance of the Company's products. In some cases, "forward-looking statements" can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue," or other comparable terminology. Although Grant Life Sciences believes that the expectations reflected in the "forward-looking" statements are reasonable, such statements should not be regarded as a representation by the Company, or any other person, that such "forward-looking statements" will be achieved. Grant Life Sciences undertakes no duty to update any of the "forward-looking statements," whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of the foregoing, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such "forward-looking statements." For further risk factors associated with our Company, review our SEC filings.

Grant Life Sciences Inc.
Dr. Hun-Chi Lin, 213-637-5692