Abbott enters pact with GSK to develop automated molecular diagnostic test to screen NSCLC

Abbott announced that the company has entered into an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to develop an automated molecular diagnostic test, based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, intended to screen non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumours for expression of the MAGE-A3 antigen. 

GSK's MAGE-A3 ASCI (Antigen Specific Cancer Immunotherapy) candidate is currently being evaluated as an adjuvant treatment in resected NSCLC in the phase-III clinical study MAGRIT, the largest lung cancer treatment study ever conducted. To be eligible to receive GSK's MAGE A3 ASCI, patients must have MAGE-A3 expressing NSCLC tumours. MAGE-A3 is a tumour-specific antigen that is expressed in non-small cell lung cancer and a wide variety of other cancers, but not in normal cells.

Under terms of the agreement, Abbott, in conjunction with GSK, will develop and commercialize a PCR test designed to detect MAGE A3 for use on the Abbott m2000 automated instrument system.