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Lab21 signs a license with Celera for one of the first diagnostic tests
for cirrhosis risk in hepatitis C patients
Cambridge, United Kingdom, 21 February 2008 … Lab21, a leading provider
of health and environmental diagnostics, today announces that it has obtained a
licence from Celera (NYSE:CRA), an Applera Corporation business, to provide
access to its test for cirrhosis risk in patients with chronic hepatitis C viral
(HCV) infection in the UK and Ireland.
The test, known as CRS7, is the first clinical test capable of predicting the
likelihood of an HCV patient’s risk of progressing to liver fibrosis and
cirrhosis. The availability of this test will substantially aid in the clinical
management of HCV patients by ensuring they receive accurate, personalised
treatment. The test has been clinically validated through multi-centre studies
in North America.
Dr Berwyn Clarke, Chief Scientific and Development Officer for Lab21, commented:
“We are delighted to extend our reach and experience of hepatology diagnostic
tests through our partnership with Celera. Together with our existing diagnostic
capabilities we believe that we now have the most comprehensive portfolio of
clinical management tools for liver disease currently available and we hope that
these will substantially assist in improved outcomes for patients with chronic
HCV across the UK and Ireland.”
Lab21 already offers cutting-edge tools for clinical management of hepatitis and
Celera will utilise the company’s experience in delivering diagnostic services
to the UK and Irish markets across a number of sectors including private
clinics, hepatology research centres, NHS clinical research settings & private
hospital networks. In addition, the availability of this revolutionary new test
will substantially assist in the clinical development of new anti-fibrotic and
anti-hepatitis drugs.
“This deal with Lab21 will increase the availability of the CRS7 liver test for
patients,” said John Sninsky, Ph.D., Vice President Discovery Research at
Celera. “Lab21 has significant expertise in the field of liver diagnostics,
coupled with a strong network, and we anticipate that this test may become a
standard for managing patients infected with hepatitis C virus.”
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About Lab21
Lab21 is a global provider of state-of-the-art diagnostic products and
services, supporting drug discovery, healthcare and environmental monitoring.
Its customers include healthcare providers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology
companies, in addition to organisations that need to monitor their impact on the
environment.
The Company has a growing test portfolio providing companion diagnostics and
high technology assays for the growing integration of personalised medicine into
healthcare. These services and products are currently in infectious diseases,
oncology and pharmacogenetics areas with emerging interests in cardiovascular
and metabolic disease.
Lab21’s environmental monitoring business specialises in the detection of heavy
metal contamination in soil and water. Its products provide information to help
organisations take action to reduce pollution and to protect the water supply of
millions of people globally.
Lab21’s clinical reference laboratory and corporate office is based in Cambridge
and employs 48 people. The Company’s investors include Merlin Biosciences and
Kreos Capital.
Website: www.lab21.com
Contacts at Lab21:
Media relations for Lab21:
College Hill
Tony Stephenson
Sue Charles,
Claire Mosley
t : +44 (0) 20 7457 2020
e: lab21@collegehill.com
At Lab21:
Berwyn Clarke, CDSO
t : +44 (0) 1223 395461
e: berwyn.clarke@lab-21.com
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