NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Genzyme Genetics has sublicensed rights for diagnostic testing of epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in non-small cell lung cancer to Manchester, UK-based DxS, the firms announced today.
The license grants DxS worldwide rights, except for North America and Hong Kong, to commercialize diagnostic and research products that detect mutations in the kinase domain of the EGFR gene.
DxS already has received the CE Mark and sells in Europe a diagnostic test for EGFR mutation detection. That kit is used by physicians in selecting which lung cancer patients would be suitable for treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapies, such as Tarceva and Iressa.
Through an agreement signed in 2005 with Massachusetts General Hospital and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Westborough, Mass.-based Genzyme Genetics holds exclusive worldwide diagnostic rights for use of EGFR gene mutations in testing for NSCLC tumors. The firm currently offers its own EGFR mutation analysis tests to identify mutations that correspond to patient response to drugs for second- and third-line NSCLC treatment.
“We believe the mutation detection technology employed by DxS will enable the delivery of a superior and highly sensitive test for lung cancer patients around the world,” said Mara Aspinall, president of Genzyme Genetics.
Terms of the sublicensing agreement were not disclosed.