NorDiag, Transgenomic sign European license, supply deal for molecular cancer testing

By E. Janene Geiss

Philadelphia, Feb. 9 - NorDiag ASA and Transgenomic Inc. announced Thursday that they have entered into an exclusive license and supply agreement that will unite the companies' technologies in the fight against colorectal and pancreatic cancer.

Transgenomic has granted NorDiag exclusive European commercial rights to use its proprietary WAVE System and associated consumables to perform molecular diagnostic testing for the detection of colorectal and pancreatic cancer from stool samples, according to a company news release.

NorDiag, in return, will pay a licensing fee and has committed to certain minimum annual purchases, officials said.

NorDiag successfully employs the WAVE System in its Genefec test, which can detect mutations associated with early development of gastrointestinal cancers such as colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer mortality, and early detection has been shown to significantly improve patients' long-term survival prospects.

Transgenomic's platform is integral to the automation of the Genefec test and the optimization of its sensitivity, officials said.

"The exclusive European license to Transgenomic's proven technology, which has been adopted in medical centers and research institutions spanning more than 35 countries, will further strengthen NorDiag's position as an emerging European leader in molecular diagnostic testing," Christian Horn, chief executive officer of NorDiag, said in the release.

Following its initial success in the Scandinavian market, the company said it is preparing to introduce Genefec to additional European markets.

NorDiag, based in Bergen, Norway, and in London, is a biotechnology company aiming to reduce mortality and treatment costs through detection of common cancers at the early, curable phases of cancer development.

Transgenomic is a New York biotechnology company that provides products and services to the medical research and pharmaceutical markets.

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