NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Molecular diagnostics firm Allegro Diagnostics today announced it has entered into an exclusive licensing deal with Boston University and the University of Utah Foundation for intellectual property related to Allegro's molecular testing platform used to detect early signs of lung cancer.
Financial and other terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Allegro's platform uses gene expression technology and detects common molecular responses that occur throughout the respiratory tract in current and former smokers with lung cancer. These changes can be detected in a gene expression signature from non-malignant airway cells and indicate the presence of malignancy remotely in the lung, Allegro said.
Using its platform, Allegro has generated "multiple product candidates." Its first commercially available test is expected to be the BronchoGen genomic test, which could potentially be incorporated into standard bronchoscopy procedures for additional clinical information and to support rapid diagnosis and treatment.
The deal will support advancement of the Maynard, Mass.-based company's platform, including the launch of the BronchoGen test during the first half of 2012, Mike Webb, the newly appointed president and CEO of Allegro, said in a statement.