The expression level of these proteins may help predict how these patients will respond to therapy. A business unit of Genzyme Corporation, Genzyme Genetics’s relationship with Moffitt is expected to broaden its lung cancer testing portfolio. Under the license agreement, Genzyme has agreed to pay Moffitt when various milestones are reached and provide Moffitt with running royalties on the sales of licensed services and products.
The expression levels of the two proteins, RRM1 and ERCC1, have been shown by research team from Moffitt, to correlate with patient response to platinum drugs and gemcitabine, both of which are commonly used in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Through this license, Genzyme plans to develop and market a diagnostic test that can be used to measure the expression levels of these proteins in NSCLC patients.