Cell Signaling Technology, Inc. (CST) of Danvers, MA, announced today that it has granted Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., a worldwide non-exclusive license to CST patent rights and proprietary antibody reagents relating to the detection of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations for the field of tissue-based in vitro diagnostic testing. Mutant forms of EGFR are important determinants in the clinical management of lung cancer.
CST, a leader in the development and manufacture of high performance antibody products for the medical research market, has developed and clinically validated mutation-specific EGFR antibodies through its internal Cancer Biomarker Program. "CST is very excited to enter into this agreement with Ventana for the development of next-generation diagnostic products that intend to fulfill the promise of personalized cancer medicine," said Michael J. Comb, Ph.D., CST President and CEO. "We are pleased to see that our focused cancer research efforts and proprietary antibody technology will be applied to significant unmet needs in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients."