Tm Bioscience acquires key sepsis biomarkers from Sirius Genomics
Tm to develop companion test for drugs used to treat severe sepsis
Tm Bioscience Corporation announced it has signed an agreement with Sirius Genomics for an exclusive commercial license to patents from Sirius for specific biomarkers related to drugs used to treat severe sepsis including vasopressin. Tm Bioscience will incorporate these markers into a diagnostic for use by critical care physicians which it expects to launch in the second half of 2007.
"By applying the genetic discoveries made by Sirius Genomics, we hope to develop an innovative genetic test that could be used to identify patients who are more likely to respond well to the two main drugs used to treat severe sepsis. Such tests could help save lives," said Greg Hines, President and CEO of Tm Bioscience.
The agreement covers a series of possible mutations that can occur in the genes associated with two proteins, protein C and arginine vasopressin. Under the terms of the agreement, Tm Bioscience will provide an upfront payment of $4 million which will be provided to Sirius in two equal installments in the second and third quarters of 2006. These upfronts will be repaid from net earnings on commercial sales of the severe sepsis test, with the remaining earnings shared equally by Sirius and Tm over the term of the agreement.
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