Rockeby Secures License for Pre-eclampsia Diagnostic Test

Rockeby Biomed Ltd (Orchard Rd., Singapore) has entered into a world-wide licensing agreement to license a blood test to diagnose pre-eclampsia. This is a common medical disorder of pregnancy, also called pregnancy-induced hypertension. This is subsequent to the test achieving critical milestones in the first phase of its development.

Rockeby, which has been funding the development of the pre-eclampsia test since August 2005, has secured the licensing agreement with the Queensland-based developer of the test Dr. Victor Voroteliak and his company Diagnoz Pty. Ltd.

Rockeby chief executive Dr. Sze Wee Tan said the company would now fund the second round of the development of the test under a new licensing agreement. This test would also add to the Intellectual Property library that the company is acquiring as it develops diagnostic tests for female healthcare needs.

We have entered into a licensing agreement with Dr. Voroteliak to license the pre-eclampsia test in return for a new round of funding up to July 2007, Dr. Tan said. Once we have completed the last development milestone, we can continue to explore external funding for this project, as we have already licensed the rights to the intellectual property from Dr. Voroteliak with this licensing agreement.

Pre-eclampsia is the most common medical disorder of pregnancy with a reported incidence in the obstetric literature, affecting at least 5-8% of all pregnancies. It is a rapidly progressive condition characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine. Swelling, sudden weight gain, headaches, and changes in vision are important symptoms; however, some women with rapidly advancing disease report few symptoms. Diagnosis is currently symptomatic on the basis of sustained blood pressure > 140/90 mmHg in conjunction with proteinuria (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines). Pre-eclampsia, without intervention, progresses to eclampsia, which is characterized by malignant hypertension and epileptiform convulsions requiring emergency Caesarian sections.



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