Lab 21 has completed an agreement to exclusively license the hepatitis C (HCV) diagnostic technology and associated patent applications of Dr Carol Holland
The deal was brokered by Utek-EKMS, an intellectual property (IP) management firm, on behalf of Dr Holland.
"Lab 21 is committed to providing advanced healthcare testing services and licensing Holland's technology will allow us to further our development in the area of HCV testing" said Berwyn Clarke, chief scientific officer of Lab 21.
He continued: "HCV is a virus that is likely to resemble HIV in that antiviral drug resistance will become a significant issue as and when new small molecule drugs are licensed.
"The acquisition of this technology is a powerful tool in support of our commitment to develop resistance genotyping assays that will allow optimal clinical management of HCV patients".
Nick Kerton, CEO of Lab21, added: "We are particularly pleased to have secured this significant IP deal at a time when there are signs of real progress in the development of new HCV antiviral drugs".
Edward Kahn, president of Utek-EKMS, said he was very satisfied with the final agreement.
"It was very important to me, and Dr Holland, in talking to potential licensees that they were fully committed to investing the resources in further development.
"This is groundbreaking technology and we wanted to ensure that it wouldn't just get shelved in an R and D lab somewhere.
"Lab21 is the best partner to utiliSe this technology in creating an HCV diagnostic solution".
In conclusion, Carol Holland said: "I am very pleased to have made this agreement with Lab21.
"I am looking forward to working closely with Lab 21 to further the development of the HCV technology in the hope that it will ultimately aid in saving lives".
Lab21 describes itself as a unique company with a vision of how technically advanced clinical testing services support the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare providers in the move towards personalised medicine.
Unique know-how in antiviral drug discovery plus a portfolio of cutting-edge molecular diagnostics, viral characterisation, pharmacogenetic tests, and patient profiling form the basis of the company's services.
Utek-EKMS provides key services to help companies analyse and leverage the strategic and commercial value of their intellectual property assets.
HCV is a form of hepatitis caused by the hepatitis C virus for which there is no cure.
It is estimated there are about 270 to 300 million people worldwide who are infected with HCV and is classified as an epidemic by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The virus is spread when blood or body fluids from an infected person enters the body of a person who is not infected.
Although there have been many advances in treatment in recent years, there is still no cure or vaccine to prevent HCV.
