Bio-Rad Acquires Rights Relating to Hemochromatosis

(Hercules, CA, USA) has acquired the right to grant additional licenses for tests relating to the hemochromatosis gene (HFE), including specific mutations G845A (C282Y) and C187G (H63D), and procedures for using molecular markers to detect the presence or absence of hereditary hemochromatosis.

Bio-Rad acquired the rights from Quest Diagnostics Inc., which acquired the rights when it purchased SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories in 1999. Bio-Rad expects to grant additional licenses. Quest retains a nonexclusive license to perform DNA-based testing for hereditary hemochromatosis. The disorder is one of the most common genetic disorders, affecting more than one million people in the United States alone. Early detection using a DNA-based test is becoming more prevalent. The presence of two HFE gene mutations puts an individual at a significant risk of developing the condition.

Bio-Rad says it will be introducing a DNA-based hemochromatosis kit before 2001. "We see tremendous market potential for early detection of hemochromatosis, and strong synergy with our existing molecular-based products,” said John Goetz, vice president of Bio-Rad's Clinical Diagnostics Group.