NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Transplant Genomics today announced a deal to exclusively license patent rights from The Scripps Research Institute and Northwestern University.
The Brookline, Mass.-based company will have access to intellectual property related to kidney and liver transplant diagnostics, such as immune status monitoring and optimization, and it intends to use the licensed technology develop and commercialize tests based on genomic biomarkers of transplant graft status. The tests would be used as part of a surveillance program to detect early signs of graft injury.
Transplant Genomics' first test will be for the routine monitoring of kidney transplant recipients. Based on an analysis of the patient's blood, the test will provide information about when treatment or a biopsy is required.
The company's test could provide "serial monitoring in stable patients with good kidney function to better inform decisions about immunosuppression," Michael Abecassis, founding director and chief clinical advisor for Transplant Genomics, said in a statement. He also is the founding director of the Comprehensive Transplant Center at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine.
"The test will also find a major and immediate application in circumstances where a sudden elevation in creatinine is noted by the clinician and a biopsy is not possible because of logistical issues," he added.
Financial and other terms of the agreement were not disclosed.