Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics has entered into a global licensing agreement with Nephromics LLC to develop two assays to be used as an aid in the diagnosis of preeclampsia, a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs during pregnancy and affects both mothers and their unborn children. The assays are being developed for the detection of two biomarkers, soluble fms-like tyrosine-kinase-1 (SFLT-1) and placental growth factor (PLGF), which clinical studies have shown to provide early identification of patients with preeclampsia.
“Given the prevalence and associated mortality with preeclampsia, clinicians need better diagnostic tools to identify the condition before it becomes advanced,” said Dave Hickey, CEO, chemistry, immunoassay, automation, and diagnostics IT business unit, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. “The development of assays designed to detect preeclampsia earlier is an evolving area of diagnostic medicine, and we are excited to enter into the agreement with Nephromics to offer these diagnostic solutions to our customers, clinicians and patients.”
Under the terms of the agreement with Nephromics, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics will obtain rights for the development of the SFLT-1 and PLFG assays to be used in conjunction with each other to aid in the diagnosis of preeclampsia. Clinical studies have shown that these assays, when used together, are better predictors of preeclampsia than either marker alone. 234
Source: Siemens Healthcare
