SAN DIEGO, Aug. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Biosite(R) Incorporated
(Nasdaq: BSTE) and Hopitaux Universitaires de Geneve (HUG), a leading
clinical research hospital in Europe, have entered into a collaboration for
the identification and validation of novel, protein-based disease
biomarkers for kidney injury. The biomarkers could be used for the
development of potential blood-based diagnostic products aimed at
diagnosing kidney injury.
Under the terms of the collaboration, HUG will identify and validate
several biomarkers discovered in blood and tissue samples from kidney
injury patients. Biosite will have the rights to develop diagnostic tests
using one or more of those biomarkers. Financial terms of the agreement
were not disclosed.
The research groups of Dr. Solange Moll and Professor Denis
Hochstrasser of the department of clinical pathology at HUG have discovered
more than 10 proteins specific to kidney function that may yield biomarkers
for certain renal conditions. Understanding the important potential of
these discoveries, Unitec, the office of technology transfer at HUG, has
filed for several patent applications in this field.
"Kidney injury can occur as the result of chronic or acute conditions.
In order to provide useful information to physicians the timing and the
nature of the injury need to be identified," said Gunars Valkirs, Ph.D.,
senior vice president Biosite Discovery. "HUG is a leading proteomics
center in Europe and this collaboration may further advance Biosite's
efforts in developing a rapid diagnostic test for kidney injury."
"We are pleased to collaborate with a company of Biosite's caliber for
the development of a diagnostic for kidney injury," said Prof. Denis
Hochstrasser, head of the department of clinical pathology of HUG. "As
physicians, we perceive the acute need for such a diagnostic, and we are
hopeful that our collaboration with Biosite will eventually yield us tools
that will help us provide better care to our patients."
Kidney injury is frequently acquired in a hospital setting(1) and is
most often the result of decreased blood flow to the kidneys from major
surgery or trauma, infection, dehydration or adverse reactions to
medications.(2) Important risk factors for kidney injury include high blood
pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, advanced age, the presence of
infection and the presence of other failing organs.(3,4,5) Mortality is
approximately three times higher in patients with acute kidney injury than
in those without, both in the intensive care unit and in the overall
hospital patient population.(6)
About Biosite Incorporated
Biosite Incorporated is a leading bio-medical company commercializing
proteomics discoveries for the advancement of medical diagnosis. The
Company's products contribute to improvements in medical care by aiding
physicians in the diagnosis of critical diseases and health conditions.
Biosite's Triage(R) rapid diagnostics are used in approximately 50 percent
of U.S. hospitals and in more than 50 international markets. Information on
Biosite can be found at http://www.biosite.com.
Except for the historical information presented herein, matters
discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed
or implied by such statements. Statements that are not historical facts,
including but not limited to statements that are preceded by, followed by,
or that include the words "will"; "believes"; "should"; "intends";
"anticipates"; "plans"; "expects"; "estimates"; or similar statements are
forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements include statements
about the potential benefits of the collaboration to Biosite and Hopitaux
Universitaires de Geneve and Biosite's ability evaluate the diagnostic
utility of the biomarker targets. In addition, there can be no guarantees
that Biosite will develop any diagnostic product in the field of kidney
injury. Even if Biosite believes it has initially developed such a product,
Biosite may not be able to complete the development or obtain the
regulatory approvals to commercialize the product. Risks that should be
considered include risks and uncertainties regarding the discovery and
product development process generally, risks associated with the
introduction of competitive products from companies with greater capital
and resources, uncertainties around the proprietary nature of the targets
subject to the collaboration, and risks and expenses associated with
litigation, contract disputes, patent conflicts, changes in reimbursement
policies, regulatory changes, and the other risks detailed in Biosite's
most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and
other SEC filings. Biosite disclaims any intent or obligation to update
these forward-looking statements. Copies of Biosite's public disclosure
filings are available from its investor relations department.
Biosite(R), Triage(R) and New Dimensions in Diagnosis(R) are registered
trademarks of Biosite Incorporated. The Company's logo is a trademark of
Biosite Incorporated.
(1) Nolan CR, Anderson RJ. Hospital-Acquired Acute Renal Failure. J
Amer Society of Nephrology (1998): 710-18.
(2) Cincinnati Children's Hospital, http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org, as
downloaded on May 5, 2006.
(3) de Mendonca A, Vincent JL, Suter PM, et al. Acute Renal Failure in
the ICU: Risk Factors and Outcome Evaluated by the SOFA Score. Intensive
Care Med (2000) 26: 915-921.
(4) The American Society of Nephrology, http://www.asn-online.org, as
downloaded on April 5, 2006.
(5) Chertow GM, Lazarus JM, Christiansen CL, et al. Preoperative Renal
Risk Stratification. Circulation (1997); 95: 878-84.
(6) de Mendonca A, Vincent JL, Suter PM, et al. Acute Renal Failure in
the ICU: Risk Factors and Outcome Evaluated by the SOFA Score. Intensive
Care Med (2000) 26: 915-921.
SOURCE Biosite Incorporated
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http://www.biosite.com/
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CONTACT:
Nadine Padilla, VP, Corporate & Investor
Relations, +1-858-805-2820, npadilla@biosite.com, or Susan
Schotthoefer, Sr. Corporate Communications Specialist,
+1-858-805-2804, sschott@biosite.com, both of Biosite
Incorporated; or Therese Legerer, Media and public relations of
Hopitaux Universitaires de Geneve, +41 22 372 60 06,
Therese.Legerer@hcuge.ch
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