Roche Obtains Rights to Diagnostic Growth Factor

Roche Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland), ThromboGenics NV (Leuven, Belgium), and Geymonat S.p.A. (Catania, Italy) have signed a license agreement that provides Roche with worldwide co-exclusive rights for diagnostic applications of a placental growth factor (PlGF) in vascular disorders. Financial details were not disclosed.

PlGF, a pro-angiogenic growth factor, is a member of the vascular endothelial-growth factor family (VEGF), and is considered to play an important role in the development of new blood vessels (angiogenesis). A variety of diagnostic applications have been identified for PlGF, including ischemic heart disease and peripheral vascular disorders, as well as preeclampsia, a disorder occurring during pregnancy, which affects both mother and unborn child. Roche Diagnostics believes that tests for PlGF will be useful in the diagnosis, risk stratification, and monitoring of patients with vascular disorders or people at risk of such conditions.

"Roche's goal is to expand its leadership in cardiovascular diagnostics and we believe that PIGF can become an important marker for the early identification of vascular disorders. In addition, the license agreement with ThromboGenics and Geymonat offers novel diagnostic opportunities for pregnancy complications. This agreement is another example of the dedication of Roche to innovative diagnostics and medical progress,” said Volker Pfahlert, head of Roche Professional Diagnostics.

ThromboGenics and Geymonat are already collaborating to develop and commercialize therapies targeting PlGF and are now entering the diagnostic field. Pre-clinical studies indicate that PlGF is both a therapeutic agent and target. Roche Diagnostics expects that the determination of PlGF in blood can be used to identify patients in need of pro- or anti-angiogenic therapy and in the monitoring of treatment effects.



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