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Merck inks licence agreement with LabCorp for development of genetic test
28 July 2010 - US-based healthcare company Merck (NYSE: MRK) today announced a non-exclusive licence agreement with Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LabCorp) for the commercialisation of a genetic test that may help predict the response of patients with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection to peginterferon alpha-based therapy.
LabCorp has developed an in vitro genetic test designed to identify the presence of the IL-28B polymorphism in patients, which studies suggest may be associated with successful response to peginterferon alpha-based therapy, the current standard-of-care in HCV treatment.
Under the terms of the agreement, LabCorp will pay a Merck affiliate, a one-time payment and royalties for tests covered under the agreement in exchange for a licence to the Merck affiliateâs patent rights covering the detection and use of the IL-28B polymorphism.
Merck intends to provide a limited number of non-exclusive licences to established diagnostics companies.
LabCorp has developed an in vitro genetic test designed to identify the presence of the IL-28B polymorphism in patients, which studies suggest may be associated with successful response to peginterferon alpha-based therapy, the current standard-of-care in HCV treatment.
Under the terms of the agreement, LabCorp will pay a Merck affiliate, a one-time payment and royalties for tests covered under the agreement in exchange for a licence to the Merck affiliateâs patent rights covering the detection and use of the IL-28B polymorphism.
Merck intends to provide a limited number of non-exclusive licences to established diagnostics companies.
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