Warnex has announced an exclusive agreement with Ipsogen SAS, a company committed to developing tests to improve the disease management of cancer patients
Ipsogen SAS is a molecular diagnostic company based in Marseille, France.
According to the terms of the agreement, Ipsogen grants Warnex exclusive rights, for the Canadian territory, to market a service for the diagnosis and the classification of a group of leukemias.
"Our reputation in the Canadian medical testing market as well as our scientific and medical credibility makes us an ideal recipient of Ipsogen's exclusive licence", said Mark Busgang, president and chief executive officer of Warnex.
"In addition to expanding our service offering in medical testing, this licence provides Warnex with the exclusivity for JAK2 clinical testing performed in Canada, thus significantly enhancing our market position.
"Finding the JAK2 mutation is a major step forward in diagnosing myeloproliferative disorders for the wellbeing of all Canadians".
The service is based on the analysis of variations in the JAK2 gene, to which Ipsogen has exclusive worldwide 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 breakthrough progress for the molecular classification and the diagnosis of myeloproliferative disorders.
"Identifying and commercializing cancer biomarkers carrying high value medical information is the core business of Ipsogen's development strategy", said Vincent Fert, president and chief executive officer of Ipsogen.
"The medical community is now eager to integrate the JAK2 test into clinical practice.
"Ipsogen has recently launched the test both in the form of a product and a licensing programme to react rapidly to these urgent medical needs.
"Warnex, with its strong position in the Canadian molecular diagnostic services market, is the ideal partner to help Ipsogen establish its leadership in Canada".
