NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – NanoString Technologies has obtained the CE Mark for its PAM50-based gene expression test for breast cancer, clearing the firm to sell the test in the European Union and other countries that recognize the CE Mark. The test provides a subtype classification based on the fundamental biology of an individual's breast tumor and a prognostic score that predicts the probability of cancer recurrence over 10 years in post-menopausal women with hormone receptor-positive, early-stage breast cancer who have been treated with hormonal therapy.
Seattle-based NanoString said it would begin marketing the test in major markets that accept the CE Mark in early 2013.
Genedata and Leco said this week that they have signed an agreement to market Genedata Expressionist MSX software compatibility with Leco's High Resolution TOFMS instrumentation. The Genedata software is used with mass spectrometry systems to analyze data from metabolomics experiments. Terms of the alliance were not disclosed.
Transgenomic has completed the acquisition of Axial's ScoliScore Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) Prognostic Test for $4.4 million in cash. Transgenomic said in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission that it has made a cash payment of approximately $3.4 million to Axial and certain of its creditors and will pay the additional approximately $1 million within 10 days of the assets being transferred.
The asset acquisition agreement was signed a month ago.
BioTime, an Alameda, Calif.-based developer of stem cell tools and regenerative medicine products, said that it has formed a subsidiary to pursue acquisitions of companies or assets. The new BioTime Acquisition Corp. is led by former Geron President and CEO Thomas Okarma.
Waters said this week that the University of North Texas' Metabolomics and Metabolic Signaling Pathway Research Laboratory has joined the firm's Centers of Innovation Program. The lab is the 19th researcher/research center to join the Waters program. The UNT lab is directed by Vladimir Shulaev, who conducts metabolite profiling and lipidomics research using mass spec and liquid chromatography tools.
The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics said this week that the Newborn Screening Translational Research Network Coordinating Center has developed a centralized, web-based virtual repository of newborn dried blood spots as a tool for newborn screening researchers. The database was created through a contract with the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The new Virtual Repository of Dried Blood Spots can be accessed through the NBSTRN website.
In Brief This Week is a Friday column containing news items that our readers may have missed during the week.