LinkMed’s AbSorber partners with BD for novel transplantation cross match test
LinkMeds portfolio company, the Swedish biotech company AbSorber has entered into an agreement with BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) for its novel transplantation cross match test kit, XM-ONE. Under the agreement, BD receives exclusive rights to distribute XM-ONE in all markets, apart from the Nordic region.
AbSorber maintains the rights to the product in the Nordic region and will also maintain responsibility for further research and development activities on the test.
XM-ONE is a standardized cross match test for detection of antibodies against endothelial cells, the cells lining the blood vessels. This is the first contact point between the transplanted organ and the immune system of the recipient. Current cross matching allows testing for antibodies for donor tissue, but not testing for antibodies for endothelial cells.
BD expects to commence marketing and sales of XM-ONE in Europe in December 2006 and will be working closely with AbSorber on the launch strategy for the US. AbSorber will begin marketing XM-ONE in the Nordic region in November 2006.
“With its strong dedication to the product, I am convinced BD is an ideal partner for XM-ONE. We share the ambition to significantly improve the outcome of transplantations”, says LinkMed CEO Ingemar Lagerlöf.
“XM-ONE is an advanced, yet robust, tool that we foresee will be in great demand at these centers”, says Bob Ferrigno, VP & General Manager, BD Diagnostics - Preanalytical Systems, Europe.
Antibodies for donor endothelial cells are thought to play an important role in the development of rejections of a transplanted organ. Most rejections are managed by high doses of immunosuppressants, but some lead to loss of the transplanted organ. By using XM-ONE, which provides additional information compared to the tests used today, there will be a better option for decisions on the need for immunosuppressive treatment.
BD, a leading global medical technology company that manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents, is dedicated to improving people’s health throughout the world. Headquartered in New Jersey, USA, BD employs more than 25,000 people in approximately 50 countries throughout the world.
AbSorber AB develops products that will increase the possibility to perform more successful transplantations. The privately held company was founded in 1999 based on inventions made by associate professor Jan Holgersson and associate professor Suchitra Holgersson at Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden. XM-ONE, a transplantation test kit, is AbSorber’s first product. LinkMed owns 40 percent of the shares in AbSorber.
For further information, please contact:
Ingemar Lagerlöf, CEO LinkMed + 46 8 508 939 93