Third Wave Signs Pharmacogenetics Collaboration Agreement with LabCorp

Third Wave Technologies Inc. has announced that it has signed a pharmacogenetics collaboration agreement with Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings (LabCorp®) to develop a companion diagnostic to help physicians personalize treatment for heart failure patients.

The test being developed with Third Wave's Invader® chemistry may be used in conjunction with the prescription of bucindolol, a next-generation beta blocker being developed by ARCA Discovery, a privately-held company based in Denver that holds promise to be the first genetically-targeted cardiovascular drug.

There is extensive Phase 3 efficacy and safety data of bucindolol in heart failure patients, including genetic data that ARCA will use to seek FDA approval in 2008 to target those patients most likely to respond. ARCA has exclusive, worldwide rights to bucindolol.

"Third Wave is pleased to collaborate with LabCorp, a recognized leader in diagnostic testing innovation, on the development of this groundbreaking companion molecular test," said Kevin T. Conroy, president and chief executive of Third Wave.

"We hope our collaboration with LabCorp is a new model for the development and application of personalized drug therapies. We believe it will demonstrate the impact clinical reference laboratories, diagnostics manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies can have when working together to positively affect patient outcomes and impact health care costs," Conroy added.

LabCorp in February announced that it had acquired exclusive rights to develop and commercialize a companion diagnostic for bucindolol. Third Wave will collaborate with LabCorp on the development of the diagnostic in parallel with the drug's approval process.

The test identifies common genetic variations of the alpha-2c and the beta-1 adrenergic receptors that regulate the human heart. A patient's response to bucindolol is affected by these genetic variations.