Life Utilizing Taqman® Array to Develop a Companion Diagnostic Test for GSK Cancer Immunotherapy
CARLSBAD, Calif., Oct. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFE) today announced that the company has signed an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals S.A. (GSK) to develop a diagnostic to be used as a companion test with a GSK candidate cancer immunotherapy. Specifically, Life will develop a qPCR-based molecular diagnostic assay for GSK's MAGE-A3 cancer immunotherapy candidate designed to identify patients likely to benefit from the immunotherapy.
MAGE-A3 candidate immunotherapy is currently being evaluated in two clinical trials. The phase III clinical study MAGRIT, the largest lung cancer treatment study ever conducted, is evaluating its efficacy and safety as an adjuvant treatment in resected non-small cell lung cancer. The Phase III clinical study DERMA is evaluating the efficacy and safety of the MAGE-A3 candidate immunotherapy as an adjuvant treatment in patients whose melanoma invaded lymph nodes.
Life's companion assay will be a multi-gene expression qPCR-based in vitro diagnostic assay designed to act as an aid in the assessment of patients who are more likely to benefit from treatment with MAGE-A3 candidate cancer immunotherapy.
"Life Technologies' platform technologies, such as qPCR, are allowing biological knowledge to be applied in multiple markets, including companion diagnostics," said Kim Caple, head of molecular diagnostics at Life Technologies. "We are excited to partner with GSK to demonstrate how using genetic analysis may further help select patients likely to benefit from such a treatment approach."
Life's companion diagnostic will be developed utilizing the company's robust Taqman® Array Card (TAC) technology which is easy to use and is currently an ideal fit for researchers looking to assay panels of genes. It is not available or intended for any animal or human therapeutic or diagnostic use. The companion diagnostic assays developed using the technology will be submitted for premarket approval by FDA.
"The capabilities of our platforms and our expertise in global regulatory, manufacturing and commercialization uniquely position Life Technologies as a partner in companion diagnostic development," said Caple.
Under the terms of the agreement Life Technologies, in conjunction with GSK and upon validation in the current Phase III trial, will develop and commercialize the qPCR-based test to detect MAGE-A3 positive patients most likely to benefit from MAGE-A3 ASCI. Financial and other terms of the deal were not disclosed.
About Life Technologies
Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE) is a global biotechnology company dedicated to improving the human condition. Our systems, consumables and services enable researchers to accelerate scientific and medical advancements that make life even better. Life Technologies customers do their work across the biological spectrum, working to advance the fields of discovery and translational research, molecular medicine, stem cell-based therapies, food safety and animal health, and 21st century forensics. The company manufactures both molecular diagnostic and research use only products. Life Technologies' industry-leading brands are found in nearly every life sciences lab in the world and include innovative instrument systems under the Applied Biosystems and Ion Torrent names, as well as, the broadest range of reagents with its Invitrogen, Gibco, Ambion, Molecular Probes and Taqman products. Life Technologies had sales of $3.6 billion in 2010, has a workforce of approximately 11,000 people, has a presence in approximately 160 countries, and possesses one of the largest intellectual property estates in the life sciences industry, with approximately 3,900 patents and exclusive licenses. For more information on how we are making a difference, please visit our website: http://www.lifetechnologies.com. Follow Life Technologies on Twitter @LIFECorporation and on Facebook.
Life Technologies' Safe Harbor Statement
This press release includes forward-looking statements about Life Technologies' anticipated results that involve risks and uncertainties. Some of the information contained in this press release, including, but not limited to, statements as to industry trends and Life Technologies' plans, objectives, expectations and strategy for its business, contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. When used, the words "believe," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "target," "estimate," "expect" and the like, and/or future tense or conditional constructions ("will," "may," "could," "should," etc.), or similar expressions, identify certain of these forward-looking statements. Important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are detailed in filings made by Life Technologies with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Life Technologies undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110216/MM49339LOGO)
Life Technologies Contact
Suzanne Clancy
760-602-4545
760-717-8294 (mobile)
[email protected]
SOURCE Life Technologies Corporation