The test, known as CRS7, is the first clinical test capable of predicting the likelihood of an HCV patient’s risk of progressing to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. The availability of this test will substantially aid in the clinical management of HCV patients by ensuring they receive accurate, personalised treatment. The test has been clinically validated through multi-centre studies in North America.
Dr Berwyn Clarke, Chief Scientific and Development Officer for Lab21, commented: “We are delighted to extend our reach and experience of hepatology diagnostic tests through our partnership with Celera. Together with our existing diagnostic capabilities we believe that we now have the most comprehensive portfolio of clinical management tools for liver disease currently available and we hope that these will substantially assist in improved outcomes for patients with chronic HCV across the UK and Ireland.”
Lab21 already offers cutting-edge tools for clinical management of hepatitis and Celera will utilise the company’s experience in delivering diagnostic services to the UK and Irish markets across a number of sectors including private clinics, hepatology research centres, NHS clinical research settings & private hospital networks. In addition, the availability of this revolutionary new test will substantially assist in the clinical development of new anti-fibrotic and anti-hepatitis drugs.
“This deal with Lab21 will increase the availability of the CRS7 liver test for patients,” said John Sninsky, Ph.D., Vice President Discovery Research at Celera. “Lab21 has significant expertise in the field of liver diagnostics, coupled with a strong network, and we anticipate that this test may become a standard for managing patients infected with hepatitis C virus.”
About Lab21 Lab21 is a global provider of state-of-the-art diagnostic products and services, supporting drug discovery, healthcare and environmental monitoring. Its customers include healthcare providers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, in addition to organisations that need to monitor their impact on the environment.
The Company has a growing test portfolio providing companion diagnostics and high technology assays for the growing integration of personalised medicine into healthcare. These services and products are currently in infectious diseases, oncology and pharmacogenetics areas with emerging interests in cardiovascular and metabolic disease.
Lab21’s environmental monitoring business specialises in the detection of heavy metal contamination in soil and water. Its products provide information to help organisations take action to reduce pollution and to protect the water supply of millions of people globally.
Lab21’s clinical reference laboratory and corporate office is based in Cambridge and employs 48 people. The Company’s investors include Merlin Biosciences and Kreos Capital.
Website: www.lab21.com Contacts at Lab21: Media relations for Lab21: College Hill Tony Stephenson Sue Charles, Claire Mosley t : +44 (0) 20 7457 2020 e: lab21@collegehill.com
At Lab21: Berwyn Clarke, CDSO t : +44 (0) 1223 395461 e: berwyn.clarke@lab-21.com
