Bristol-Myers Squibb, OPKO Health collaborate in relation to new diagnostic test technology

OPKO Health, Inc. today announced that it has entered into a collaboration agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company relating to OPKO's new diagnostic test technology. OPKO's simple blood tests are being developed, based on its proprietary platform technology, to identify biomarkers for a wide variety of diseases including neurodegenerative disorders and various malignancies. As part of the project, OPKO and Bristol-Myers Squibb will investigate the utility of OPKO's novel technology for diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and for identifying individuals with early stage cognitive impairment that are likely to progress to Alzheimer's disease.

Phillip Frost, M.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of OPKO, stated, "We are pleased to work with Bristol-Myers Squibb to generate additional validation data that may expedite the approval and marketing of our simple blood test for Alzheimer's disease and cognitive disorders that may precede it. As new and better forms of therapy for Alzheimer's disease become available, particularly those that can slow its progression, early and definitive diagnosis will be of critical importance."