GLOSTRUP, DENMARK--(MARKET WIRE)--Jan 28, 2009 -- Dako collaborates with OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. on a drug-companion diagnostic co-development program.
Dako, a world-leading provider of cancer diagnostic solutions, such as pharmDx(TM), has entered into a collaboration with OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a US-based biopharmaceutical company. Under the terms of agreement, Dako and OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. will collaborate on developing a new cancer diagnostic test as a potential companion product for a cancer therapy.
The new cancer diagnostic test is intended to identify patients more likely to benefit from a specific treatment. The collaboration will draw on Dako’s extensive experience within the development of cancer diagnostic tests and OSI Pharmaceuticals’ thorough knowledge in developing and commercializing novel pharmaceutical products.
“I am happy to announce our collaboration with OSI Pharmaceutical Inc. The future within Oncology Pharmacotherapy is in targeted therapies. Linking a drug with a diagnostic test is what you can call a triple win situation. Most importantly, the patient will receive relevant therapy from the start instead of a trial-and-error medication. Secondly, the pharmaceutical company may develop even more innovative and improved cancer therapies, thereby increasing the general health within society. Thirdly, Dako itself will continue to provide Gold Standard companion diagnostics to the market, thereby contributing to improve the overall health care costs,” says Lars Holmkvist, CEO and President of Dako Denmark A/S.
Dako has a successful history in diagnostic test development, and the new collaboration is in line with Dako’s ongoing strategy to combine its strengths with pharmaceutical companies to develop the offering of Dako’s pharmDx(TM).
Dako, based in Denmark, is a global leader in tissue-based cancer diagnostics. Hospital and research laboratories worldwide use Dako’s knowledge, reagents, instruments and software to make precise diagnoses and determine the most effective treatment for patients suffering from cancer. Employing more than 1000 people and operating in more than 70 countries, Dako covers essentially all of the global anatomic pathology markets. Dako is owned by a private equity fund, EQT. www.dako.com Contact:
Media contact: Dako A/S Sofie Kjaersgaard Hansen Corporate Communications +45 6179 0444
