NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Linkage Biosciences announced today that it has signed a four-year contract for its LinkSeq Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) test with the UK's NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT).
The real-time PCR-based test is designed to detect HLA genes associated with tissue compatibility for organ transplantation. It covers all classical HLA genes, as well as 12,000 alleles, and received CE marking last year. NHSBT is the arm of England's National Health Service responsible for promoting and overseeing organ and blood donation.
"We were looking for the best technology available for our rapid typing requirements," Andrea Harmer, National Head of histocompatibility and immunogenetics services for NHSBT, said in a statement. "We developed a comprehensive matrix to evaluate multiple platforms and were extremely pleased with the results from Linkage Biosciences."
Specific terms of the contract were not disclosed.