Genoptix signs multi-year licensing agreement with HistoRx for AQUA technology

Genoptix, Inc. (Nasdaq: GXDX), a specialized laboratory service provider, and HistoRx, Inc. (privately held), a diagnostics company, today announced a multi-year licensing agreement for AQUA® technology and several diagnostic assays based on it.  Genoptix has obtained exclusive commercial laboratory rights in the United States to develop and perform three solid tumor assays using HistoRx's proprietary technology for analysis of fluorescent immunohistochemistry (fIHC), enabling quantitative assessment of specific biomarkers for patients with certain solid tumors.

Genoptix has also obtained non-exclusive rights to use AQUA technology for the measurement of two additional biomarkers associated with many cancers.  The agreement also enables Genoptix and HistoRx to collaborate on the development of additional assays which Genoptix would then have the right to commercialize.  Additional details were not disclosed.

"We are delighted to be working with HistoRx and look forward to developing and validating clinical diagnostics for key biomarkers using AQUA technology, and to offering them to our oncologist customers and their patients," said Mike Nerenberg, M.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer of Genoptix.  "Standard immunohistochemistry assays have their value when detection of biomarkers is sufficient, but clinicians are increasingly discovering that true quantitation of protein in tumors enables more powerful insights.  AQUA technology is noted for its reproducible quantitation of protein biomarkers in tissue and the agreement we announce today will enhance Genoptix's ability to address growing market needs."

"Genoptix has gained the trust of community oncologists and their patients by offering high quality laboratory testing, and HistoRx is delighted to license these assays to them, extending their leadership beyond the realm of hematopathology into the solid tumor market," said Rana K. Gupta, CEO of HistoRx.  "Our company has been developing cancer diagnostics based on AQUA technology for five years, and we couldn't think of a more appropriate inaugural partner for its commercialization."

AQUA technology quantifies and compartmentalizes (e.g., through the measurement of protein in the cell's cytoplasm or nucleus) tumor markers, an important component of the assessment of solid tumors for individual cancer patients.