Collaboration to Develop Neurodegenerative Tests

A licensing agreement and a research collaboration for the development of in vitro diagnostic tests for neurodegenerative diseases related to the presence of abnormal prion proteins in humans and animals has been announced by Abbott Laboratories (Abbott Park, IL, USA) and the University of Zurich (Switzerland).

The abnormal proteins are associated with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease, in cattle. The human equivalent is new variant Creutzfeldt Jakob disease (nvCJD). Under the licensing agreement, Abbott obtains nonexclusive rights to the university's technologies for the specific binding of disease-associated prion proteins for use in the field of human and veterinary diagnostics. Abbott also obtains exclusive rights to any improvements made as a result of the collaboration. Under an agreement with Enfer Scientific Ltd., Abbott currently markets a post-mortem diagnostic test used outside the United States for detecting BSE in cattle.

"The University of Zurich's technologies and extensive research expertise in prions represent a significant strength in furthering our ability to develop both human and animal diagnostic tests for the early detection of infectious prions,” said James J. Koziarz, Ph.D., vice president, diagnostic products research and development, Abbott Laboratories.




Related Links:
Abbott
Univ. of Zurich