Genzyme Molecular Oncology of Framingham, Mass., has exclusively licensed certain high density DNA array diagnostic and research rights related to the p53 gene to Affymetrix for use on its GeneChip arrays.
Affymetrix currently sells p53 arrays that analyze the coding region of the p53 tumor suppressor gene.
In exchange for exclusive rights to p53 for use on certain diagnostic and research DNA arrays, Genzyme Molecular Oncology will receive from Affymetrix an up-front payment of an undisclosed amount, milestones, and minimum royalties on the sale of future GeneChip products that utilize the p53 gene.
The Affymetrix license will allow GeneChip array customers to conduct microarray-based p53 tests without seeking an additional license from Genzyme.
The p53 gene functions as a tumor suppressor in the human body. Studies have shown that in more than 50 percent of all human cancers the p53 gene is mutated, Genzyme said.