February 2013—Abbott and BioView have entered into an agreement in which BioView will develop automated digital-imaging software for use with Abbott’s molecular diagnostic test to detect rearrangements of the ALK gene in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The software scans lung tissue specimens that have been tested for the ALK gene rearrangement with Abbott’s fluorescence in situ hybridization technology.
BioView is engaged in clinical trials that will support global regulatory submissions for the use of BioView’s automated scanning microscope and image-analysis system with Abbott’s Vysis ALK FISH test. The imaging system is designed to scan specimen slides after FISH analysis and enable automated enumeration to assist in determining fluorescent signal counts in lung tissue samples. This can aid the pathologist in detecting, classifying, and counting cells examined with the ALK FISH test on any computer screen or fluorescent microscope, or both. The scans can be converted into electronic files for permanent medical records.
Abbott plans to conduct clinical studies to develop a Vysis ALK FISH kit version for use with its VP2000 processor to automate the sample pretreatment steps.
Abbott, 847-937-6100
BioView, 978-670-4740