Olympus, in Cooperation with Saladax Biomedical, Prepares to Offer Testing in Support of Personalized Chemotherapy.BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Olympus Life and Material Science Europa, GMBH (Olympus) and Saladax Biomedical bi·o·med·i·cal adj. 1. Of or relating to biomedicine. 2. Of, relating to, or involving biological, medical, and physical sciences. , Inc. (SBI SBI Special Background Investigation SBI Subsidiary Body for Implementation SBI State Bank of India SBI Secure Border Initiative SBI Small Business Institute SBI Stockholm Brain Institute SBI Serious Bacterial Infection SBI Society of Breast Imaging ) have entered into a development agreement to accelerate introduction of a blood test expected to help oncologists more effectively dose 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a widely used chemotherapy agent. The 5-FU test will enable more timely and cost-effective dosing, thereby optimizing therapeutic effects and minimizing toxicity among the 1.5 million patients treated annually around the world. Pursuant to this agreement, SBI will adapt the first of a line of Personalized Chemotherapy Management (PCM (1) See phase change memory. (2) (Plug Compatible Manufacturer) An organization that makes a computer or electronic device that is compatible with an existing machine. ) assays for quantifying the concentration of 5-FU (Rubex/Efudex/Adrucil) in cancer patients to the Olympus AU400 clinical chemistry analyzer while the parties finalize the terms of the non-exclusive, multi-year distribution agreement. Olympus is advancing SBI an undisclosed upfront fee for the application work. 5-FU is indicated primarily for colorectal, gastrointestinal, breast, and head & neck cancers. In addition to the typically associated toxic side-effects of 5-FU such as soreness of the mouth, difficulty swallowing, diarrhea, stomach pain, neutropenia Neutropenia Definition Neutropenia is an abnormally low level of neutrophils in the blood. Neutrophils are white blood cells (WBCs) produced in the bone marrow that ingest bacteria. and neuropathy neuropathy Disorder of the peripheral nervous system. It may be genetic or acquired, progress quickly or slowly, involve motor, sensory, and/or autonomic (see autonomic nervous system) nerves, and affect only certain nerves or all of them. , some patients face life threatening consequences from 5-FU treatment. Three to five percent of the population have an enzyme deficiency (DPD DPD Department of Planning and Development DPD Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase DPD Dead Peer Detection (Cisco) DPD Division of Parasitic Diseases (US CDC) DPD Dominant Wave Period DPD Drug Product Database Deficiency) that is crucial for the metabolism and deactivation de·ac·ti·vate tr.v. de·ac·ti·vat·ed, de·ac·ti·vat·ing, de·ac·ti·vates 1. To render inactive or ineffective. 2. To inhibit, block, or disrupt the action of (an enzyme or other biological agent). 3. of 5-FU. Such patients suffer from severe side effects Side effects Effects of a proposed project on other parts of the firm. , even death, with smallest doses and often with the very first dose of 5-FU. "There is a large body of published clinical evidence that managing 5-FU dosing by measuring blood concentration has a significant positive impact on response to therapy and reduction of toxic side-effects. However, today doctors have no clinical relevant tool by which to get this information. Saladax plans to launch a simple 5-FU test within the year, and we are pleased by the prospect of having it offered by a highly respected and quality partner such as Olympus," said Dr. Salvatore J. Salamone, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Saladax. About Olympus Life and Material Science Europa GmbH - Diagnostics Olympus Life and Material Science Europa GmbH - Diagnostics is a provider of systems for in vitro diagnostics In vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests are medical tests conducted in a test tube, or more generally in a controlled environment outside a living organism. In vitro means in glass in Latin. , with a long tradition in the product segments of clinical chemistry, electrophoresis, transfusion testing and laboratory automation. Olympus Diagnostics serves mostly large and medium size hospitals, commercial clinical laboratories and blood banks. About Saladax Biomedical Saladax Biomedical, Inc. is a research-based, health care diagnostics company with its main R&D and manufacturing facilities based in Bethlehem, PA. Founded in 2004, SBI is focused on the development of Personalized Chemotherapy Management (PCM) assays to test plasma levels of the most commonly used anti-cancer medicines. SBI plans to distribute its assays through strategic collaborations with leaders in the laboratory services and diagnostic products industries. For more information about SBI, please visit www.saladax.com. |
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