Amplification refractory mutation system technology (Arms) is a well-established and reliable method for the detection of genetic variations and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
BTG and DxS announce an extension and improvement to the licences they are able to provide for use of the Amplification Refractory Mutation System (Arms).
Arms is a simple, reliable and widely used method for the detection of gene mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms.
Under an extension to their licence agreement with AstraZeneca, BTG and DxS are now able to grant licences under the technology rights to Arms and related technologies from a combination of the licensable rights under both AstraZeneca and City of Hope patents (patent numbers US 5,595,890, US 5,137,806, US 5,639,611 and corresponding patents worldwide).
This will be beneficial for the industry as it places the major rights with one licensor, says DxS.
In March 2004, an agreement was signed with AstraZeneca giving DxS and BTG certain rights to the intellectual property with the aim of further commercialising the technology within the diagnostic and research markets.
The extension will allow DxS and BTG to maximise the commercial value for the Arms technology.
This is being achieved via companies that offer products and services that relate to the detection of genetic variation, companies that are currently using Arms technology as part of their in-house research activities, as well as encouraging new and novel applications for this powerful technology.
Genomics-based, molecular diagnostic profiling is one of the key tools for making personalised medicine a reality.
Amplification refractory mutation system technology, as licensed from DxS and BTG, is a well-established and reliable method for the detection of genetic variations and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).
SNPs are variations in a DNA sequence that occur when a single nucleotide (A,T,C or G) in the sequence is altered.
Although more than 99 percent of human DNA sequences are the same across the population, variations in DNA sequence can have a major impact on how humans respond to disease; environmental challenges such as bacteria, viruses, toxins, and chemicals; and drugs and other therapies.
Scientists believe SNP maps will help them identify the multiple genes associated with such complex diseases as cancer, diabetes, and vascular disease.
In addition, SNPs can help determine the likelihood that someone will develop a particular disease.
Furthermore, SNPs are useful in predetermining an individual's response to drug treatment, and can be used as markers to differentiate individuals with varying response to treatment.
The $1.9 billion nucleic acid diagnostic market includes testing for infectious and genetic diseases, as well as cell/tissue typing, cancer genetics and personalised medicine.
It is the fastest growing sector of the diagnostic marketplace, increasing at a rate of 20-40 percent per annum.
This could, according to some industry experts, create a potential $8-10 billion market segment by 2010.
Arms technology has applications throughout this market such as the detection of genetic variations in the genes responsible for common diseases, including cancer and heart disease.
DxS is an established genotyping service and product company providing pharmaceutical, biotechnology and clinical research companies with rapid and reliable pharmacogenetic analysis to support drug discovery, clinical development and personalised medicine.
DxS operates from purpose built laboratories equipped with fully automated sample handling and genotyping systems in Manchester, UK.
The company says it has implemented industry-leading laboratory management systems and quality control practices.
The DxS service is based on proprietary Scorpions technology that allows rapid and reliable PCR-based genotyping, and on Safespot, a card-based sample collection system that greatly simplifies the storage and transport of blood spots.
Scorpions technology is also licensed to oligonucleotide suppliers and diagnostic companies.
Arms (amplification refractory mutation system) is described as a simple, reliable and widely used method for the detection of gene mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms.
Arms technology has applications the detection of genetic variations in the genes responsible for common diseases, including cancer and heart disease.
Arms can also be used in personalized medicine tests, to predict which individuals will respond well to a medicine, and typing infectious pathogens.
Arms is also known as allele specific PCR, allele specific amplification (ASA), PCR amplification of specific alleles (Pasa), mis-match amplification mutation assay (Mama) and sequence specific primers (SSP).
BTG acquires rights to early stage drugs and other medical technologies from a global network of corporations, universities and research institutions.
It applies technical and commercial resources including finance, intellectual property and project management skills to fund and manage outsourced preclinical and clinical development programmes.
It then licences the technologies to biotech and pharmaceutical companies, which complete clinical and regulatory development and market the approved products.
Its pipeline comprises around 50 assets at varying stages of development, contributing to an increasing range of marketed products.
City of Hope is one of the world's leading research and treatment centers for cancer, diabetes, HIV/Aids and other life threatening diseases.
Named by US News and World Report as one of America's best medical centres for cancer treatment, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation and genetics.
Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a comprehensive cancer center, the highest designation bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
City of Hope's scientific knowledge is shared with medical centres locally and globally, helping patients battling life-threatening diseases around the corner and around the world.
