Some of the specific technology licensed includes the ERCC1 and RRM1 genes. Researchers at the University of South Florida have discovered a correlation between expression of ERCC1 (excision repair cross-complementing-1) and the survival of patients with non- small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Gene Express intends to complete clinical validation for correlation of gene expression versus chemoresistance for cisplatin treatment by April 2009, and submit a 510K class II prognostic test for cisplatin resistance to the FDA by May 2009. The company would then anticipate receiving FDA approval of the 510K medical prognostic test in August 2009 and commercial application completed by December 2009.
Jonathan Rowe, senior vice president of strategy and clinical innovation for Gene Express, said: “By adding these genes to our growing collection of gene standards, we will be able to develop the most accurate, sensitive and reproducible molecular diagnostic tests for identifying tumors that are resistant to specific chemotherapeutics.”