License Agreement for Cardiac Markers

A license agreement has been signed that provides Dade Behring (Deerfield, IL, USA) with exclusive worldwide rights to certain markers of cardiovascular disease developed at the University of Frankfurt (Germany). The agreement provides the basis for joint efforts of the University of Frankfurt, Innovectis (an innovation provider of the University of Frankfurt), and Dade Behring to establish these and potentially future markers of vascular diseases as routine diagnostic tests.

These emerging markers include placental growth factor (P1GF) for cardiovascular disease, soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) for the prognosis of the course of disease in acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and additional markers for cardiovascular diseases. Diagnostic tests based on these markers could provide doctors with valuable information on the prognosis and adequate treatment of a potential cardiac event.

Originally identified in the placenta, P1GF is now considered to be a cardiovascular disease marker and a primary instigator of atherosclerotic plaque instability. It has also been recognized as an independent and powerful predictor for adverse outcomes for patients with known or suspected ACS. Until recently, sCD40L has only been proposed as a primary risk assessment marker. New studies have shown that it is also an independent secondary risk assessment marker for ACS. Both P1GF and sCD40L provide independent complementary information to routine markers such as cardiac troponins and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP).

"Cardiovascular diseases are the world's number one health threat,” noted Jim Reid-Anderson, chairman, president, and CEO of Dade Behring.”




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