Exagen Inc. Collaboration Leads to Characterization of Broad Autoreactivity in Severe COVID-19 Patients

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Exagen Inc. (Nasdaq: XGN), a leading provider of autoimmune testing solutions, announced today that its collaboration with Dr. Iñaki Sanz at Emory University has led to a publication in Nature, found here. Exagen’s clinical test offerings, run on samples from severe COVID-19 patients, helped researchers from Emory characterize the autoimmune profiles induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection.

In addition, these retrospective analyses laid the groundwork for the recent longitudinal studies of so-called post-acute COVID syndrome (PACS), as well as other post-severe pulmonary infection sequelae, including the incorporation of Exagen’s proprietary Cell-Bound Complement Activation Products, or CB-CAPs, technology. These efforts will assess the importance of long-term autoimmune monitoring in those patients experiencing lasting symptoms following acute pulmonary infection, including those caused by SARS-CoV-2.

Mathew Woodruff, PhD is a researcher at the Lowance Center for Human Immunology and the Division of Rheumatology at Emory School of Medicine. “We are excited to have partnered with Exagen on this important work investigating the origins of emerging self-targeted antibody responses in severe COVID-19. Their broad clinical testing platforms have allowed us to identify unexpected markers of dysregulated immunity and have uncovered new possibilities for identifying patients that may benefit from targeted immune therapy. We look forward to how our collaboration may help characterize the complicated recovery phases of COVID-19 and identify potential opportunities for medical intervention.”

“We are grateful to be able to partner with Emory University on this work. The discoveries being made in uncovering these unexpected markers and autoimmune profiles will mean relief to a lot of people who are suffering. Whether it be recovering from severe COVID-19 or other acute pulmonary infections, helping identify the right therapy for patients is the step towards personalized care that we want to see in all of rheumatology. This publication marks an exciting step along that journey,” said Ron Rocca, President and CEO of Exagen.

About Exagen Inc.

Exagen (Nasdaq: XGN) is a leading provider of autoimmune diagnostic, prognostic, and monitoring testing solutions. Exagen is a patient focused, discovery driven organization built on the success of AVISE testing and is investing in its product pipeline to support patients throughout their autoimmune diagnosis and treatment journeys. The goal at Exagen is to assist patients, physicians, and payors by enabling precision medicine. Exagen is located in San Diego County with clinical and research and development laboratories in Vista, CA.

For more information, please visit Exagen.com and follow @ExagenInc on Twitter.

Forward Looking Statements

Exagen cautions you that statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on Exagen’s current beliefs and expectations. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the potential utility and effectiveness of Exagen’s services and testing solutions and regarding Exagen’s and Emory School of Medicine’s interpretations of clinical study results and management’s views and evaluations of the same. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Exagen that any of its plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this press release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Exagen’s business, including, without limitation: the COVID-19 pandemic may continue to adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations, including as a result of slowdown in its operations as well as those of its suppliers and courier services, impeding patient movement and interruptions to healthcare services causing a decrease in test volumes, disruptions to the supply chain of material needed for its tests causing an increase in cost per test, its sales and commercialization activities and its ability to receive specimens and perform or deliver the results from its tests, delays in reimbursement and coverage decisions from Medicare and third-party payors and in interactions with regulatory authorities, and delays in ongoing and planned clinical trials involving its tests; Exagen’s commercial success depends upon attaining and maintaining significant market acceptance of its testing products and promoted therapeutics among rheumatologists, patients, third-party payors and others in the medical community; Exagen’s ability to successfully execute on its business strategies; third-party payors not providing coverage and adequate reimbursement for Exagen’s testing products or promoted therapeutics, including Exagen’s ability to collect funds due; expectations regarding its pipeline products, including the development of the AVISE RADR platform; Exagen’s ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for its testing products; regulatory developments affecting Exagen’s business; and other risks described in Exagen’s prior press releases and Exagen’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including under the heading “Risk Factors” in Exagen’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and any subsequent filings with the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and Exagen undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Investor Relations
Exagen Inc.
Ryan Douglas
rdouglas@exagen.com
760.560.1525

Company
Exagen Inc.
Kamal Adawi, Chief Financial Officer
kadawi@exagen.com
760.477.5514