Australian alliance to commercialise new genetic tests for epilepsy

Nov 8 2004

Bionomics Limited and Genetic Technologies Limited have formed a strategic alliance to commercialise new genetic tests for epilepsy. These new diagnostic tools will enable earlier diagnosis, more precise treatment and better overall outcomes for those suffering from inherited forms of epilepsy.

Under this strategic alliance, Bionomics now grants to GTG worldwide testing and marketing rights, including exclusivity for Australia and New Zealand, to new epilepsy tests developed by Bionomics. GTG now grants to Bionomics a license to the GTG non-coding patents.

The first test to be launched under this programme will identify cases of severe myoclonic epilepsy in infants (SMEI) - a serious form of epilepsy in children.

The tests will be performed by GTG and will also be made available to the GENDIA network of international genetic testing laboratories, which will bring these tests to more than 70 countries around the world, including key markets in USA & Europe.

Bionomics and its academic collaborators will support GTG in the development and marketing of these tests. A key benefit of the SMEI test will be faster and more definitive diagnosis of this serious condition, thereby helping to guide treatment options. Additional tests in relation to other causes of epilepsy will be added to the programme in due course.

The precise terms of the financial arrangements between GTG and Bionomics are covered by confidentiality, but it can be disclosed that both parties will benefit from the revenues generated from this new alliance. GTG will pay Bionomics a signing fee, royalties and future milestone payments in relation to revenues received from this epilepsy testing, world-wide, while Bionomics will also pay GTG for a license to the GTG non-coding patents.