GSK moves into diagnostics with Enigma
pharmafile | August 12, 2011 | News story | Sales and Marketing | Diagnostics, GSK, infectious diseases
GlaxoSmithKline has signed a deal to develop new tests with Enigma Diagnostics, extending a 2009 agreement with the Salisbury-based company.
The new arrangement includes the exclusive supply and marketing of the portable Enigma ML system in Europe and other countries, including three in the ‘BRIC’ bloc of emerging market powerhouses: India, Brazil and Russia.
Enigma will also develop a range of respiratory tests for GSK for use on the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology platform, which amplifies copies of target DNA to generate millions of copies of the specific DNA sequence.
The system can deliver a result from a raw sample in under an hour in a medical setting, with the sample dispensed into a single-use cartridge which is loaded into the machine.
This could give GSK the opportunity to generate revenue from further test developments in infectious diseases and in other therapeutic areas.
“These agreements for assay development, commercialisation and supply will leverage GSK’s extensive sales and marketing force with Enigma’s unique point of care system which has potential uses across a number of human diseases,” says Enigma chairman John McKinley.
“This is a partnership which will deliver much needed ‘test and treat’ capability to infectious disease management,” he added.
The 2009 deal between the companies involved influenza on the Enigma ML system. Financial details of this one have not been disclosed, but GSK will make an upfront payment, plus monies for R&D, royalties and commercialisation milestones, as well as taking an equity investment.
“GSK is committed to improving the lives of patients suffering from respiratory and other diseases by providing truly innovative healthcare solutions to improve the care of these vulnerable patient populations,” said GSK’s Eddie Gray, president, pharmaceuticals Europe.
“The collaboration with Enigma provides GSK the opportunity to offer a more complete solution to the healthcare community and improve patient care through the provision of rapid, state of the art diagnostic tests,” Gray added.
Founded in 2004, Enigma is funded by the UK government and a private venture capitalist, Porton Capital Technology Fund.
Adam Hill
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