Zalgen Obtains Rights to Two Tests from Corgenix
Zalgen Labs, the Maryland-based specialty lab that focuses on diagnosing obscure but often deadly infectious diseases, has obtained the rights to two tests from Corgenix Medical Corp. Zalgen obtained the rights to the ReEBOV Antigen Rapid Test, a fast diagnostic test for detecting the Ebola virus that has been authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It also acquired the rights to the ReLASV Antigen Rapid Test for Lassa fever. Testing will occur at a new business development facility Zalgen has established at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colo. Zalgen entered into a test development deal with the Maryland-based Corgenix in 2013, with a focus on what the two companies have termed "high-impact neglected infectious diseases." Like Ebola, Lassa is a virus that can cause severe hemorrhagic illness. It is confined primarily to Western Africa and transmitted primarily through contact with rodents. Although a large number of those who contract the virus have no symptoms, it can cause deafness, or even maternal and fetal death in pregnant women who contract the virus during its third trimester. Lassa was initially discovered in the 1950s but has become more persistent in recent years. Rapid […]
Zalgen Labs, the Maryland-based specialty lab that focuses on diagnosing obscure but often deadly infectious diseases, has obtained the rights to two tests from Corgenix Medical Corp.
Zalgen obtained the rights to the ReEBOV Antigen Rapid Test, a fast diagnostic test for detecting the Ebola virus that has been authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It also acquired the rights to the ReLASV Antigen Rapid Test for Lassa fever.
Testing will occur at a new business development facility Zalgen has established at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colo.
Zalgen entered into a test development deal with the Maryland-based Corgenix in 2013, with a focus on what the two companies have termed "high-impact neglected infectious diseases."
Like Ebola, Lassa is a virus that can cause severe hemorrhagic illness. It is confined primarily to Western Africa and transmitted primarily through contact with rodents. Although a large number of those who contract the virus have no symptoms, it can cause deafness, or even maternal and fetal death in pregnant women who contract the virus during its third trimester. Lassa was initially discovered in the 1950s but has become more persistent in recent years. Rapid diagnosis has been challenging because its symptoms are similar to Ebola.
Clarification: An article in the July 21 edition of Laboratory Industry Report ("CMS's Proposed Gapfill Prices for Molecular Tests Would Lead to Big Reimbursement Cuts") included a price chart ("Total Costs For Certain Molecular Tests") that could have been construed as reflecting final as opposed to proposed prices. The chart contained prices proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that have yet to be finalized. |
"We are excited to add these remarkable diagnostic products to Zalgen's business, and we look forward to adding them to our expanding global distribution network," said Zalgen Co-Founder Luis Branco in a statement. "Zalgen has been active in the research and development of these products since our inception, and our new development site in Colorado will serve as the Company's primary site for diagnostics, while our immunotherapeutics activities will remain centered in Maryland."
In addition to the transfer of the two tests, Zalgen also received a National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases small business innovation research grant for the development of recombinant antigen diagnostics for filoviruses such as Ebola.
Takeaway: Zalgen is using its development deal with Corgenix to expand its testing menu and capabilities.
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