OPKO Health acquires Claros Diagnostics
OPKO Health, Inc. (NYSE: OPK) reported that it has acquired Claros Diagnostics, Inc., a Woburn, Massachusetts based company that has developed a novel microfluidics-based test system consisting of a disposable test cassette that resembles a credit card and a small desktop analyzer. Used together, they provide high performance quantitative blood test results within minutes and permit the transition of complex immunoassays and other tests from the centralized reference laboratory to the physician’s office or hospital nurses station. The Claros technology requires a finger stick drop of blood introduced into the cassette, which can multiplex up to 20 separate tests. Claros has validated the technology for urology and infectious disease market applications, and this validation, the company says, will serve as a bridge to other test panels.
GSD extends partnership with Fujirebio
Gold Standard Diagnostics, Corp. (GSD) announced the launch of an extended partnership with Fujirebio Diagnostics, Inc. to distribute their proprietary Cyfra 21-1 EIA assays in the United States. Fujirebio, known best in the US market as the developers of the CA125 ovarian cancer marker, have a number of patents on biomarkers for various disease states, but are primarily focused on oncology markers. GSD also is distributor of Fujirebio’s HE4 EIA, Multi-Constituent Tumor Marker control and Vitamin D control.
Corgenix Medical markets ELISA analyzer
Corgenix Medical (OTCQB: CONX) says that it will market on a non-exclusive basis in the United States the SkyLAB 752™ ELISA/IFA Analyzer from AXA Diagnostics Srl of Pomezia, Italy. The new, high-throughput ELISA and immunofluorescence assay (IFA) platform can process up to seven microplates or 28 IFA slides simultaneously.
Boston University receives grant to develop tools for early detection of lung cancer
Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) reports that it has received a $13.6 million grant and been named the lead institution in a study aimed at developing novel technologies for the early detection of lung cancer. The five-year multisite, multiphase study, funded by the US Department of Defense’s Lung Cancer Research Program, will focus on active military personnel and veterans.–Peter Winter