Bayer and CIS Biotech in Assay Alliance

Newly announced development and licensing agreements will allow collaboration on the commercialization of automated serum assays for stroke testing by Bayer HealthCare, Diagnostics Division (Tarrytown, NY, USA), and CIS Biotech, Inc. (Atlanta, GA, USA).

The assays will be based on the proprietary immunoassays of CIS for NMDA NR2 receptor antibodies. CIS will work with Bayer to develop and commercialize the NR2 assays for use on Bayer's Advia Centaur line of automated immunoassay systems. CIS has developed proprietary technology and several test kits that aim to significantly improve diagnostic certainty of stroke, based on decades of scientific research on the effects of stroke on specific brain receptors by one of the founders of CIS, Dr. Svetlana Dambinova.

CIS has shown that elevated levels of certain antibodies indicate a history of stroke. Many strokes go undetected because symptoms are mild and are therefore unreported. Previous transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) increase the risk for severe fatal or debilitating strokes. Currently, doctors face challenges in diagnosing a TIA with certainty and in making a differential diagnosis of brain ischemic attack from hemorrhage and stroke-like disorders. A readily available laboratory test such as that developed by CIS would aid the identification of people at high risk of stroke. This assay is only available now for use in research settings.

"With their proven success in delivering innovative assays for the cardiovascular market, Bayer is an ideal partner with whom to pursue this important development opportunity,” said Robert R. Rhinehart, chairman and CEO of CIS Biotech. The company is a medical research and development enterprise focused on in vitro diagnostic tools to fulfill unmet needs in the assessment of stroke or brain attack.


Related Links:
Bayer Diagnostics
CIS Biotech