DES PLAINES, Ill., March 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Abbott announced today that it has entered into an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to develop a molecular diagnostic test intended for use as an aid in selecting patients who may benefit from a skin cancer treatment in development by GSK.
Under terms of the agreement, Abbott, in conjunction with GSK, will develop and commercialize a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test for use on the Abbott m2000(TM) automated molecular instrument system. The test will be designed to detect MAGE-A3, a tumor-specific antigen that is expressed in skin cancer and a wide variety of other cancers, but not in normal cells. In July 2009, both companies announced a similar collaboration and Phase III investigation for the MAGE-A3 marker in non-small-cell lung cancer.
“This is an exciting continuation of our important collaboration with GSK, a leading company in cancer immunotherapy research,” said Stafford O’Kelly, head of Abbott’s molecular diagnostics business. “The agreement is indicative of our commitment to personalized medicine and our focus on developing innovative companion diagnostic tests that can be used to identify patients most likely to benefit from specific cancer therapies.”
ASCIs and MAGE-A3 ASCI
GSK’s ASCIs represent a novel class of medicines designed to train the immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells in a highly specific manner. These candidate cancer immunotherapeutics combine tumor antigens, delivered as purified recombinant proteins, and GSK’s proprietary immunostimulants, which are specific combinations of immunostimulating compounds selected to increase the anti-tumor immune response. ASCIs are being investigated in the clinic to support their use to reduce the risk of tumor recurrence following surgery, or to impact tumor growth in an early metastatic setting.
Websites have been created to provide information on the ASCI approach and the DERMA clinical study. Please visit www.immunotherapyforcancer.com and www.gsk-asci.com for more information.
Abbott Molecular’s development efforts in areas such as MAGE-A3 will further build its leadership position in cancer diagnostics and personalized medicine.
About Abbott Molecular
Abbott’s molecular diagnostics business, headquartered in Des Plaines, Ill., provides physicians with critical information based on the early detection of pathogens and subtle changes in patients’ genes and chromosomes aiding in earlier diagnosis and selection of appropriate therapies and monitoring of disease progression. The business includes instruments and reagents used to conduct sophisticated analysis of patient DNA and RNA. Additional information is available on Abbott Molecular’s Web site at www.abbottmolecular.com.
Abbott’s news releases and other information are available on the company’s Web site at www.abbott.com.
CONTACT: Media, Don Braakman, +1-847-937-0080, or Financial, Tina Ventura,
+1-847-935-9390, both of Abbott
Web site: http://www.abbott.com/
http://www.gsk-asci.com/
http://www.abbottmolecular.com/
http://www.immunotherapyforcancer.info/
