Abbott and Merck Collaborate to Develop Companion Diagnostic Test for Investigational Cancer Therapy

Abbott

announced today that it will collaborate with Merck

to evaluate the use of a FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization)-based companion diagnostic test to aid in the development of a Merck investigational cancer therapy. FISH-based companion diagnostic tests are designed to identify specific DNA sequences to help guide physicians in determining which patients are more or less likely to benefit from a particular therapy. Under terms of the agreement, Abbott will develop a test based on its proprietary FISH technology, intended to identify deletions of the TP53 gene in cancer patients. The Abbott FISH assay will be evaluated in clinical trials to help identify patients more likely to respond favorably to Merck's investigational cancer therapy.