HTG Molecular Expands Agreement with Illumina to Include Autoimmune, Cardiovascular, and Fibrosis Disorders and Diseases

Amendment allows for the development of IVD test kits compatible with Illumina technology

TUCSON, Ariz., April 30, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. HTGM (HTG), a diagnostic company whose mission is to advance precision medicine, today announced it has amended its IVD Test Development and Component Supply Agreement with Illumina, Inc. (Illumina), previously amended in June 2017, to enable the expansion of potential fields for development and commercialization of IVD test kits for use with HTG EdgeSeq and Illumina sequencing technology. Under the amended agreement, HTG may now submit potential development plans to Illumina for consideration of approval in the fields of autoimmune, cardiovascular, and fibrosis disorders and diseases, in addition to development plans in the oncology field. 

"This amendment highlights our commitment to developing molecular diagnostic tests which advance precision medicine, not only in oncology, but in other critical fields such as autoimmune or cardiovascular disorders and diseases," stated John Lubniewski, HTG's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association officially recognizes over 100 separate autoimmune diseases with over 50 million Americans currently living with an autoimmune disease. Biomarker-driven autoimmune drug development has recently become a focus of many biopharmaceutical companies, which creates a potential opportunity for HTG to partner with these companies in creation of a companion diagnostic leveraging HTG's EdgeSeq technology and Illumina's sequencing technology."

Byron Lawson, HTG's SVP, Pharma Business Unit added, "As previously announced, HTG is currently developing a 2,000+ gene expression assay for molecular profiling both liquid and tissue biopsies in autoimmune diseases that is expected to be available as a Research Use Only assay in 2019. We are very excited about this new comprehensive autoimmune assay, which will be available for potential biomarker discovery with liquid biopsy as the primary sample type. Early indications from biopharmaceutical companies of the need for biomarker-driven autoimmune development have led to the expansion of our agreement with Illumina, which we believe provides the foundation for potential development of one or more such autoimmune companion diagnostic assays."

About HTG:

HTG is focused on NGS-based molecular profiling. The company's proprietary HTG EdgeSeq technology automates complex, highly multiplexed molecular profiling from solid and liquid samples, even when limited in amount. HTG's customers use its technology to identify biomarkers important for precision medicine, to understand the clinical relevance of these discoveries, and ultimately to identify treatment options. Our mission is to empower precision medicine at the local level.

Safe Harbor Statement:

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the expected benefits of the amendment to our agreement with Illumina and the potential development of autoimmune companion diagnostic assays. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "will," "goal," "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements necessarily contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based upon management's current expectations, are subject to known and unknown risks, and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the risk that customers may not adopt IVD products developed under our agreement with Illumina easily, at all or at the rate we expect, risks associated with the process of developing and commercializing IVD products; risks related to our ability to achieve and sustain sufficient market acceptance; the level and availability of reimbursement for our products; our ability to effectively manage our anticipated growth; our ability to protect our intellectual property rights and proprietary technologies; our ability to operate our business without infringing the intellectual property rights and proprietary technology of third parties; competition in our industry; additional capital and credit availability; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; and product liability claims. These and other factors are described in greater detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made, and we undertake no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

Contact:
Ashley Robinson
Life Science Advisors, LLC
Phone: (617) 535-7742
Email: arr@lifesciadvisors.com