BG Medicine Acquires Exclusive Rights to Biomarkers of Congestive Heart Failure from ACS Biomarker.BG Medicine plans to develop and commercialize molecular diagnostic tests for the prognosis of patients with congestive heart failure congestive heart failure, inability of the heart to expel sufficient blood to keep pace with the metabolic demands of the body. In the healthy individual the heart can tolerate large increases of workload for a considerable length of time. WALTHAM, Mass. & MAASTRICHT, The Netherlands -- BG Medicine Inc. ("BG Medicine") and ACS (Asynchronous Communications Server) See network access server. Biomarker B.V. i.o. ("ACS Biomarker") today announced that they have entered into an agreement granting BG Medicine rights to develop and commercialize a biomarker-based molecular diagnostic test as a prognostic indicator of congestive heart failure (CHF CHF In currencies, this is the abbreviation for the Swiss Franc. Notes: The currency market, also known as the Foreign Exchange market, is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily average volume of over US $1 trillion. ). ACS Biomarker, with technology exclusively licensed from the University of Maastricht and other parties, is being founded to develop and commercialize cardiovascular biomarkers discovered at the Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM). Under the terms of the agreement, BG Medicine has exclusive, worldwide sublicense from ACS Biomarker to rights owned by the University of Maastricht and the Academic Hospital Maastricht The Academic Hospital Maastricht (Dutch: Academisch Ziekenhuis Maastricht) or AZM is the main hospital of the city of Maastricht and affiliated with Maastricht University. to develop and commercialize galectin-3 and another blood-plasma biomarker in the field of CHF. Yigal Pinto, Professor of Cardiology and one of the founders of ACS Biomarker, discovered galectin-3 in 2003 as a potential marker for heart failure (HF) prognosis following an initial HF event. A collaborative study between researchers at the University of Maastricht and Massachusetts General Hospital Massachusetts General Hospital Health care The major teaching hospital for Harvard Medical School, widely regarded as one of the best health care centers in the world in Boston, Mass. found a correlation between a diagnosis of acute heart failure and elevated levels of galectin-3 and another protein. In this study, galectin-3 was shown to be a significant predictor of the risk of re-occurrence of heart failure or death in patients with heart failure within 60 days. Congestive heart failure, a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of the body, affects an estimated 5 million people in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . CHF may result from a variety of causes, including narrowing of the coronary arteries Coronary arteries The two main arteries that provide blood to the heart. The coronary arteries surround the heart like a crown, coming out of the aorta, arching down over the top of the heart, and dividing into two branches. , a previous heart attack, chronic high blood pressure, or defects of the heart valves Heart valves Valves that regulate blood flow into and out of the heart chambers. Mentioned in: Heart Failure or muscle itself. Patients typically present with rather non-specific symptoms such as swollen legs or ankles, shortness of breath Shortness of Breath Definition Shortness of breath, or dyspnea, is a feeling of difficult or labored breathing that is out of proportion to the patient's level of physical activity. , or weight gain. CHF is a serious medical condition with an estimated 50% 5-year mortality - higher than many forms of cancer. To treat CHF effectively, and avoid its more serious complications, doctors need to make an accurate diagnosis and predict the expected course of the patient's condition. "Galectin-3 may play a very important future role in the management of patients with heart failure," said Dr. James L Januzzi, Jr., Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School (HMS) is one of the graduate schools of Harvard University. It is a prestigious American medical school located in the Longwood Medical Area of the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. , and Director of the Coronary Care Unit coronary care unit n. Abbr. CCU A hospital unit that is specially equipped to treat and monitor patients with serious heart conditions, such as coronary thrombosis. at Massachusetts General Hospital. "Data from studies demonstrate that galectin-3 testing is incrementally useful to other established methods for risk assessment, and can thus help physicians better identify those patients who need the most intensive forms of therapy, monitoring and support. Matching the level of care to an individual patient's need should also improve the cost-effectiveness of care." "We are excited about this license and collaboration agreement with BG Medicine," said Professor Mat Daemen, one of the founders of ACS Biomarker and Scientific Director of CARIM. "BG Medicine has established itself as a leader in the discovery and development of cardiovascular biomarkers, and it is well-positioned to develop a molecular diagnostic test based on galectin-3 for patients with CHF that could benefit patients, providers and payors". "This partnership with one of the leading European cardiovascular research centers is an illustration of how well we can leverage our international relationships to develop critically needed molecular diagnostic products for both the U.S. and international markets," said Pieter Muntendam, MD, President and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of BG Medicine. "Galectin-3 is an excellent biomarker for us because of its profile as a prognostic marker that may enable more cost-effective management of CHF - one of the most costly medical conditions See carpal tunnel syndrome, computer vision syndrome, dry eyes and deep vein thrombosis. of old-age." Under the terms of the agreement, BG Medicine will pursue the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of molecular diagnostic tests for CHF based on galectin-3, and has been granted certain preferential rights to develop and commercialize other biomarkers of ACS Biomarker. ACS Biomarker has granted BG Medicine exclusive worldwide development and commercial rights in exchange for milestone payments as well as royalties based on net sales Net Sales The amount a seller receives from the buyer after costs associated with the sale are deducted. Notes: This amount is calculated by subtracting the following items from gross sales: merchandise returned for credit, allowances for damaged or missing goods, freight and sublicensing income of products commercialized under the license. About Biomarkers A biomarker is a characteristic of the human body that can be objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biological processes, pathogenic processes or pharmacological responses to a therapeutic intervention, such as the administration of a drug. Since biomarkers correlate with an underlying process within the body, tests to measure these biomarkers can be used effectively to inform physicians on treatment decisions. A molecular diagnostic test is a product based on these biomarkers that is intended to provide information to physicians that will improve patient treatment decisions. About ACS Biomarker BV i.o. ACS Biomarker BV i.o. is spin-off from the University of Maastricht and the technology transfer organization BioMedbooster. ACS Biomarker, which is in the legal process of formation, is being established for the development and commercialization of cardiovascular biomarkers discovered at the Cardiovascular Research Institute of Maastricht University (CARIM). ACS Biomarker draws upon a unique large scale lead-identification strategy to identify novel markers to serve as molecular probes Molecular Probes is a biotechnology company located in Eugene, Oregon specializing in fluorescence. The company was founded in 1975 by Richard and Rosaria Haugland in their kitchen in Minnesota, then moved briefly to Texas and finally to Oregon in the early 1980s. of early vascular and cardiac disease. ACS Biomarker aims to be the first in delivering clinical proof for novel biomarkers that can help the physician to recognize disease before their patient does. About BG Medicine BG Medicine is a life sciences company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel molecular diagnostics based on biomarkers to improve patient outcomes and contain healthcare costs. BG Medicine discovers biomarkers and develops its diagnostic product candidates using its proprietary, versatile, and scalable technology platform which integrates and automates the precise measurement, analysis, characterization and interpretation of thousands of proteins, metabolites Metabolites Substances produced by metabolism or by a metabolic process. Mentioned in: Interactions and nucleic acids Nucleic acids The cellular molecules DNA and RNA that act as coded instructions for the production of proteins and are copied for transmission of inherited traits. collected from bodily fluids. This approach to biomarker discovery allows BG Medicine to pursue the most promising commercial opportunities because it is not constrained by biology or specimen type. BG Medicine is leveraging its technology platform in multiple biomarker initiatives and collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies, other healthcare organizations and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For additional information about BG Medicine, please visit www.bg-medicine.com. |
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