A Diagnostics & Imaging Week

Nanogen (San Diego), a developer of molecular–biology and rapid diagnostic products, and Thermo Fisher Scientific (Waltham, Massachusetts) have entered into an agreement in which Thermo will be the exclusive provider of a variety of products used in gene–expression experiments. These products are based on Nanogen's second–generation probe technology for real–time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) applications.

The agreement covers both custom and standard catalog products based on Nanogen's technology for real–time PCR applications. This probe technology is used as a method of quantitative detection for specific DNA or RNA sequences in a biological sample and incorporates Nanogen's MGB (Minor Groove Binder) technology. The Minor Groove Binder is a crescent–shaped molecule that when coupled to an oligonucleotide probe stabilizes the detection–target duplex, improving efficiency and specificity compared to longer traditional probes.

Nanogen's MGB technology is license in various fields and is now a component in thousands of PCR probe products. Nanogen says it has more than 35 reagent and kit products that are sold for clinical diagnostic use under the MGB Alert and Q–PCR Alert brands.

In other agreements:

• Siemens Healthcare (Malvern Pennsylvania) reported the addition of a mammography digitizing system from Carestream Healthcare (Rochester, New York) to its Accessory Solutions product portfolio. The digitizer is offered through Siemens to U.S. healthcare providers.

Carestream's digitizer enables mammography facilities to transition to digital imaging by converting prior film–based diagnostic and screening mammograms into a digital imaging format so they can be viewed in conjunction with digital mammography exams on a diagnostic workstation. Digitizer automatic processing allows up to 50 film images to be scanned without operator intervention.

Carestream is a provider of dental and medical imaging systems and healthcare IT solutions.

• Corgenix Medical (Denver) said it has entered into an agreement with Randox Laboratories (Antrim, UK) to expand the test–processing technology and distribution network of the Corgenix AspirinWorks product. The companies will collaborate in adapting the Corgenix AspirinWorks test to a format compatible with automated chemistry analyzers. The AspirinWorks test will be manufactured at Randox's facilities in the UK; with the two companies sharing global distribution rights.

AspirinWorks is a urine test that determines the effect of aspirin on platelets by measuring the level of thromboxane production (aspirin's target). The higher the levels of thromboxane, the stickier the blood platelets, and the less impact the aspirin is having. This information allows physicians to individualize a patient's aspirin therapy.

The AspirinWorks test only requires a urine sample that can be obtained in any doctor's office or patient service center, making the test easy for both physician and patient.

"We are very pleased about this new relationship with Randox. They are one of the world's premier diagnostic companies in automated technology, and together we expect to adapt the important AspirinWorks product into a format suitable for high–volume clinical testing," said Douglass Simpson, Corgenix CEO/president.

Corgenix makes specialized diagnostic kits for vascular diseases, immunology disorders and bone and joint disorders. Randox makes clinical diagnostic products worldwide.

• U.S. Preventive Medicine (Dallas) and deCode Genetics (ReykJavik, Iceland) reported signing a letter of intent to add genetic testing to expand both companies' personalized medicine services in the U.S. and internationally.

"The signing of the letter of intent with deCode is significant because we will be the first entity in the U.S. and internationally to offer a full continuum of geographically dispersed, comprehensive solutions for personalized medicine including preventive care, wellness and disease management," said Christopher Fey, CEO and chairman of U.S. Preventive Medicine.

"Our consumer, employer and physician customers will now be able to take advantage of a wide range of innovative personalized medicine services, including an opt–in genetic testing program for clients of our Centers for Preventive Medicine and members of The Prevention Plan."

He added, "Our goal is to make the most advanced prevention strategies — including more precise risk stratification — available to informed consumers who want to use the best medicine has to offer to enjoy more good years."

Fey said U.S. Preventive Medicine's expansion into personalized medicine is the next step in the company's plan to "provide practical solutions at every point in the healthcare continuum," both nationally and internationally.

deCODE is a biopharmaceutical company.

• QuantRx Biomedical (Doylestown, Pennsylvania) said it has concluded the development of the Fieldtests ID product line for identifying drugs–of–abuse residue.

QuantRx has entered into an exclusive manufacturing agreement with Fieldtests.

The new products represent a break–through technology for the field–testing of narcotic residues in both the law enforcement and occupational health marketplace, QuantRx said.

Len Jonker, president of Fieldtests, said, "QuantRx will be our exclusive manufacturer for this product which allows us to introduce a new paradigm in the field–testing of narcotics."