Ipsogen Announces Licensing Agreement With Labcorp For Leukemia Molecular Diagnostic Assay In USA

Main Category: Lymphoma / Leukemia / Myeloma
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 10 Sep 2007 - 15:00 PDT

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IPSOGEN, a leading provider of molecular diagnostic tests for the disease management of cancer patients, announced the signing of an agreement with Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings (LabCorp, NYSE: LH) under which LabCorp will offer a JAK2 molecular diagnostic assay in the USA.

According to the terms of the agreement, IPSOGEN grants LabCorp non-exclusive rights, for the US territory, to offer an assay for the molecular classification and the diagnosis of a group of leukemias caused by JAK2 gene variations. Additional terms were not disclosed.

The test is based on mutations in the JAK2 gene, to which IPSOGEN has worldwide exclusive intellectual property rights. A high proportion of patients with myeloproliferative disorders (MPD; polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, idiopathic myelofibrosis) carry a dominant gain-of-function V617F mutation in the JH2 kinase-like domain of JAK2. This pioneering work published in a 2005 issue of Nature by the INSERM team of Dr. Vainchenker (Institut Gustave Roussy, Paris) provides a breakthrough progress for the molecular classification and the diagnosis of myeloproliferative disorders. The license allows LabCorp to provide the JAK2 mutation assay through its various CLIA-registered laboratories throughout the USA.

"This agreement with LabCorp, the first US-based reference laboratory to enter our licensing program, will help IPSOGEN to establish its unique molecular diagnostic solutions in the field of blood-based cancers," said Vincent Fert, president and CEO of IPSOGEN. "We are pleased that one of the leading suppliers of diagnostic services recognizes the medical value of JAK2 mutation analysis, illustrating the potential of molecular diagnostic to better diagnose and define diseases, and to offer new personalized treatment approaches".

About IPSOGEN

IPSOGEN is a molecular diagnostic company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative diagnostic products to guide treatment options in cancers. IPSOGEN has built a comprehensive portfolio of unique products in blood cancers available in over 50 countries all over the world to leading institutions involved in cancer care. IPSOGEN products are registered as IVD in Europe.

Leveraging its expertise in blood cancers, IPSOGEN has developed, in partnership with leading cancer institutions, a pipeline of diagnostic products in breast cancer.

IPSOGEN is headquartered in Marseille, France and has its U.S. offices in New Haven, Connecticut. For more information on IPSOGEN, please visit: http://www.ipsogen.com.