NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) — Laboratory Corporation of America today said it plans to develop a gene-based companion diagnostic to be paired with a cardiac drug ARCA Discovery is currently developing, the companies said today.
The test will identify genetic variations of the alpha-2c and the beta-1 adrenergic receptors, which appear to affect the way heart failure patients respond to the ARCA drug bucindolol.
Some variations of the receptors are associated with positive benefits in many patients, but other variants are associated with side effects, the companies said.
ARCA intends to seek approval for the drug along with the genetic test, which LabCorp will develop during the approval process.
Financial terms of the agreement were not released.