Upstate Obtains Rights to Leukemia Biomarker

The rights to sell the anti-ZAP-70 monoclonal antibody for diagnostic use have been acquired from the University of California, Los Angeles (USA) by the Upstate Group (Charlottesville, VA, USA).

The antibody is a key biomarker for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Studies have shown that the levels of expression of the anti-ZAP-70 protein strongly predict the aggressiveness of the disease. One such study cited this use of the anti-ZAP-70, clone 2F3.2, monoclonal antibody in the May 2003 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Scientists used anti-ZAP-70 in immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and Western blot analysis of samples from chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients.

"Anti-Zap-70 was formerly only available for research use,” explained Ian Ratcliffe, president of Upstate. "Since the publication of the New England Journal of Medicine study, we have had multiple customer inquiries about its diagnostic or therapeutic use in humans or animals. The recently obtained rights will allow us to work more closely with diagnostic companies active in cell signaling.”

Upstate anticipates significant growth from the biomarker, including the development of ZAP-70 diagnostic kits, development of ZAP-70 as a biomarker, and the ability to offer GMP (good manufacturing practice)-approved quantities of ZAP-70. Upstate also has a facility in Dundee, Scotland. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Serologicals Corp. (Atlanta, GA, USA), a global leader in consumable biologic products.




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