NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Abbott said today that it will develop an automated molecular diagnostic PCR-based test that will be used to screen lung cancer tumors, under a collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline.
Abbott will develop a test for screening non-small cell lung cancer tumors for expression of the MAGE-A3 antigen, the presence of which is necessary to receive a GSK drug candidate that is being evaluated in a Phase III clinical study. Abbott has agreed to work with GSK to develop and commercialize a PCR test to detect the antigen using its m2000 automated instrument system.
"Through this partnership we aim to make MAGE-A3 testing of lung tumors available in standard pathology labs around the world," GSK's VP and Head of Immunotherapeutics, Vincent Brichard, said in a statement. "This means patients globally could be able to find out if they are eligible and can potentially benefit from targeted cancer treatment against this antigen, such as GSK's MAGE-A3 candidate ASCI."
Abbott noted that there currently aren't any nucleic acid-based tests approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in identifying patients who may benefit from non-small cell lung cancer therapies.
Financial and other terms of the alliance were not disclosed.