History
Milestones
13-Dec-2004 - LGC’s DNA probe technology licensed by Osmetech
for rapid genetic testing in molecular diagnostic markets
LGC’s HyBeacons chemistry combines with Osmetech’s
Genedrive platform to create powerful product offering for hospital
testing in-house.
LGC, Europe’s leading independent analytical laboratory
providing advanced chemical, biochemical and forensic analysis, has
signed an exclusive agreement for licensing its DNA probe
technology (HyBeacons®) with Osmetech plc in medical genetic test
applications for inherited genetic traits in all world markets,
excluding India.
HyBeacons have unique characteristics that make them suitable
for very rapid diagnostic and point-of-care applications. Osmetech,
the international diagnostics business, will use the HyBeacons
technology with its Genedrive molecular diagnostics instrument and
other platforms. Osmetech has been working closely with LGC for
approximately one year, during which time scientific proof of
principle has been established demonstrating the excellent
compatibility of HyBeacons tests with the Genedrive.
Although the majority of molecular diagnostic testing is
currently performed in batches in larger hospitals and
laboratories, the growth in molecular diagnostics is expected to be
most evident in small to medium sized hospitals now looking to
perform much of this testing in-house. This is the setting in which
it is envisaged that the Genedrive-HyBeacons device will be
targeted.
James White, Chief Executive, Osmetech plc said: "We are
delighted to be working with LGC and its HyBeacon technology, which
will provide us with the chemistry for our instrument platform. The
Genedrive uses well understood and widely adopted PCR-based
technology to produce a simple, cost-effective and rapid test with
the key performance characteristics of the fast growing molecular
diagnostics market. Osmetech’s OPTI business already has the
operational structure, distributor network and customer base
necessary to exploit these exciting growth opportunities."
Discussions for LGC to grant similar licences for the detection
of infectious human pathogens and diagnosis of human sexually
transmitted diseases are also at an advanced stage with Osmetech. A
recent study of clinical samples has been completed at the medical
microbiology department of the Royal Free Hospital in London to
evaluate the HyBeacon chlamydia detection assay run on the
Genedrive instrument. Although this study was not optimised or
performed under FDA clinical trial guidelines, the results
exhibited a high degree of accuracy in comparison with other widely
practised nucleic acid amplification tests.
Dr Paul Debenham, LGC’s Director of Life Sciences, said:
"LGC continues to advance its genetic test HyBeacon technology,
developed with DTI support under the LINK Analytical Biotechnology
programme, across the spectrum of applications for which rapid
point-of-care testing is in demand. We are excited to see HyBeacons
being put into use by Osmetech for this first licence in medical
diagnostic applications. We are looking forward to its ongoing
development and our collaboration with Osmetech in identifying new
testing capabilities."
LGC was advised on the licence agreement by its in-house legal
team and by John Wilkinson and Shirley McCulloch of international
law firm, Bird & Bird. Mark Lubbock and Jonathan Lewin of
international law firm, Ashurst, advised Osmetech.