Monday, January 12, 2015
DIAXONHIT, a French leader in specialty in-vitro diagnostics for transplantation, infectious diseases and cancer, announced today that it entered into a service sub-licensing agreement with the Strasbourg University Hospitals (Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, HUS) for the performance of the CareDx, Inc. AlloMap® test in a dedicated facility as its Central European Laboratory. Under this agreement, all testing activities will be performed in HUS' Central Immunology Laboratory, under the authority and exclusive responsibility of HUS and its scientific director, Professor Seiamak Bahram.
The AlloMap molecular blood test is a novel method for regular and non-invasive surveillance of heart transplant recipients for acute cellular rejection. All patients' blood samples collected in heart transplant centers around Europe will be shipped to the Strasbourg facility where the AlloMap testing procedure will be performed. Test results will be sent back directly from the Central Laboratory to the clinicians, consisting primarily of cardiologists and heart surgeons.
DIAXONHIT is the exclusive European distributor of the AlloMap test. It will supply the central laboratory with specific AlloMap plates and control reagents both manufactured by CareDx, the developer and licensor of AlloMap. DIAXONHIT will also supply heart transplant centers with a kit to facilitate blood samples handling and shipment.
HUS' Central Immunology Laboratory was selected by DIAXONHIT for its ability to conduct the testing procedure with all necessary quality requirements to ensure the accuracy and reproducibility of AlloMap results delivered to prescribing clinicians. Under the leadership of Professor Seiamak Bahram who is also director of Transplantex, a French government funded "Laboratory of Excellence" (LabEx), this laboratory is at the forefront in the fields of transplantation and histocompatibility in Europe. A dedicated team of seasoned technical staff and biologists will perform the AlloMap procedure within a well-defined environment, including specific instruments that are currently being implemented. Staff training will be initiated soon by DIAXONHIT and CareDx in order for the laboratory to become operational during the first half of 2015.
The HUS location in Strasbourg is also a key advantage. Centrally positioned between southern and northern Europe on the French-German border, this location will facilitate rapid handling of blood samples from any European country and ensure more efficient delivery from heart transplant centers.
"We are extremely pleased that our laboratory was selected for becoming the European central site for performing the AlloMap test. After the US, this will allow French and European heart transplanted patients to have access to this state-of-the-art, non-invasive test. We are eager to start working with DIAXONHIT and CareDx as well as the various European transplant teams in order to offer the test as soon as possible." said Professor Seiamak Bahram, Head of HUS' Central Immunology Laboratory.
According to Peter Maag, CEO of CareDx: "We are pleased and excited to have HUS as the European laboratory partner to perform AlloMap. Their world-class experience and expertise with molecular diagnostics and transplant care make them well-suited to perform this non-invasive test that will positively impact care among European heart transplant recipients. "
"With the selection of the Strasbourg University Hospitals, a prestigious institution, another key milestone was reached for DIAXONHIT, as it will facilitate AlloMap's implementation in Europe. We were impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication of the HUS staff, and feel that AlloMap testing will be performed by the best possible team." concludes Dr. Loïc Maurel, President of the Management Board of Diaxonhit.
Source : http://www.exonhit.com/
