NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – PDI today announced it will buy molecular diagnostics company RedPath Integrated Pathology for more than $23 million in cash and stock.
The purchase helps PDI subsidiary Interpace Diagnostics expand its oncology product portfolio with RedPath's PathfinderTG platform, which includes Pathfinder TG Pancreas, a diagnostic test that helps physicians determine cancer risk in pancreatic cysts. That test generates annual revenues of approximately $10 million, said PDI.
The PathfinderTG platform uses clinical algorithms to stratify patients according to cancer risk by looking at DNA abnormalities in patients who have cysts or solid masses with the potential for cancer.
"PDI's deep go-to market expertise and commercialization infrastructure can deliver the resources needed for the development and promotion of this innovative technology," said Dennis Smith, president and CEO of RedPath. "Becoming part of Interpace Diagnostics will enable the realization of PathFinderTG's full potential while complementing the company's growing molecular diagnostics capabilities."
RedPath is also developing tests for assessing risk in other gastrointestinal cancers with the PathfinderTG platform. Tests for cancer risk in patients with Barrett's esophagus and biliary tract disease are in late-stage development, the company said in a statement.
Under the terms of the deal, PDI will make a $12 million upfront payment, future milestone-based and revenue-based payments, and provide an $11 million non-interest bearing four-year subordinated note to shareholders of RedPath. In addition, it will issue up to 1 million shares of its stock to RedPath shareholders upon the successful introduction of the Barrett's esophagus test.
In connection with the acquisition, PDI said that it has secured $20 million in financing from SWK Holdings.
The transaction includes all of RedPath's assets, including the company's Pittsburgh laboratory and its biobank of samples.
This is the second oncology-related molecular diagnostic acquisition for PDI this year. In August, PDI acquired miRInform Thyroid, a micro-RNA based test that can discriminate between benign and malignant cysts, from Asuragen. A miRInform Pancreas test is expected to launch in the first half of 2015.
PDI is a provider of commercialization services for firms operating in healthcare-related fields. Among its services are contract sales teams and digital communication services.