A Medical Device Daily
Exact Sciences (Marlborough, Massachusetts) and NorDiag (Oslo, Norway) said they have entered into a collaboration and a non-exclusive license agreement to develop and commercialize colorectal cancer (CRC) screening technologies outside the U.S. and Canada.
Exact Sciences has extended a non-exclusive license to its DIA (long-DNA) technology and related know-how to NorDiag for commercializing CRC screening tests in Europe, Japan and Australia. The collaboration and license also includes the right to develop an in vitro diagnostic test kit for those markets.
NorDiag will pay a licensing fee and royalties to Exact, though specific financial terms were not disclosed.
“This agreement fulfills one of our key corporate goals, which is to expand our DNA-based colorectal cancer screening technologies into international markets where there is a tremendous need for new methods,” said Don Hardison, president/CEO of Exact. “We are pleased to have aligned ourselves with NorDiag, as they have a demonstrated ability to commercialize stool-based DNA diagnostics in markets outside the U.S.”
M rten Wigst l, CEO of NorDiag, said, “Having access to their issued patents and expertise related to the long-DNA cancer biomarker will further enhance our colorectal cancer product strategy.”
He said that Exact’s intellectual property and know-how are “complementary to already in-licensed NorDiag long-DNA technology and enables us to strengthen our technology base as we work toward the rapid development and launch of a cost-effective test kit for CRC screening in Europe and Asia.”
Wigst l said, “This is an enormous market with room for many players — we believe that this is the start to a collaboration that can easily be expanded in the foreseeable future.” The companies said that more than 900,000 new colorectal cancer cases are diagnosed annually worldwide and with 500,000 deaths, it is the second-most-deadly cancer.
The DIA biomarker also is a key component of the PreGen-Plus testing services currently offered by Laboratory Corporation of America (Burlington, North Carolina).
Australia okays FzioMed dermal filler
FzioMed (San Luis Obispo, California) reported that its Laresse dermal filler has received regulatory approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia.
The company said facial wrinkles, fine lines and creases are the result of a loss of collagen and elastin, the skin’s natural support structure, and that injectable dermal fillers temporarily restore the skin’s internal structure, filling in lines and wrinkles to non-surgically erase the signs of aging.
Laresse was launched by FzioMed in Europe last year. It said that unlike conventional hyaluronic acid (HA) and collagen fillers, Laresse is made from non-bacterial, non-animal sources and is free of cross-linking chemicals. Its ultra-smooth texture results in a very natural look and feel, the company said.
“Australia is an important market and our first expansion of Laresse outside of Europe,” said John Krelle, FzioMed president and CEO. “Laresse has taken the science of dermal fillers to a new level, and we are [pleased] to offer this new advancement to Australian patients and physicians.”
Laresse comprised of pure, absorbable medical polymers. FzioMed said it offers non-permanent wrinkle correction, non-animal and non-bacterial components, easy injection through a very fine needle, improved comfort and smooth texture and feel.
New plant for Affymetrix in Singapore
Affymetrix (Santa Clara, California), has officially opened its manufacturing facility in Singapore. The new building is Affymetrix’s first manufacturing facility outside of the U.S., enabling the company to better serve and support its growing international business.
Affymetrix’s GeneChip microarray technology is the industry-standard tool for analyzing complex genetic information. The company said its technology is used by the world’s top pharmaceutical, diagnostics and biotechnology companies, as well as leading academic, government and not-for-profit research institutes, to analyze the relationship between genes and human health.
More than 1,500 systems have been shipped around the world and more than 8,500 peer-reviewed papers have been published using the technology, Affymetrix said.
The company said its scientists have been dedicated to developing innovative products that provide researchers with a more complete view of the genome. “These products continue to accelerate genetic research and enable scientists to develop diagnostics and tailor treatments for individual patients by identifying and measuring the genetic information associated with complex diseases,” Affymetrix said.
“While Singapore offers a number of significant economic, political and lifestyle advantages, Affymetrix was most impressed with the country’s commitment and support to the life sciences industry,” said Kevin King, president of life sciences business and executive vice president, Affymetrix. “In fact, a number of our most innovative and highly valued customers are here in Singapore, doing research in everything from cancer to population genetics to diabetes.”
The Singapore facility is located at the Keppel Logistics Building at Gul Circle, Jurong Industrial Park . It has been operational since the end of 2006 and employs 120. Affymetrix said it plans to shift about 40% of its microarray production to Singapore by year-end.
Canadian expansion for SheerVision
SheerVision (Rolling Hills, California), a provider of surgical loupes and light systems, reported the expansion of its international distributor program in Canada.
“Our recent exhibit at the Les Journees Dentaires Int’l du Quebec was extremely positive for the expansion of our international distributor program (IDP) and growth of the company’s products in Canada,” said CEO Suzanne Lewsadder. “Canada has continued to demonstrate strong sales results through our direct sales efforts, and now with the introduction of our IDP program, we expect sales results to reflect this new program.”
SheerVision sells surgical loupes and light systems to the dental and medical markets; it featured the new Firefly Infinity LED Portable Lightat the Canadian dental products show.
“Our new light system, which is nearly twice as bright as traditional LED lights, was very well received at the show,” Lewsadder said.