Ventana Licenses Gen-Probe IP for Measuring ERG Protein in Prostate Cancer

Roche’s Ventana Medical Systems co-exclusively sublicensed IP from Gen-Probe granting the firm in vitro diagnostic rights relating to the immunohistochemical measurement of ERG protein expression in prostate tissue. Ventana says the licensed IP complements its existing co-exclusive sublicense to IP covering in situ hybridization measurements of ETS gene rearrangements (including ERG gene rearrangements) in tissue.

Ventana specializes in the development and manufacture of instruments and reagents for automating tissue processing and slide staining in cancer diagnostics. The firm’s ERG assays for its BenchMark line of automated instrumentation include a global ERG IVD test for measuring ERG via immunohistochemical staining and a CE-marked IVD assay for measuring ERG gene rearrangements using Quantum Dot (FISH). Multivariate assays for novel clinical assays are also in development.

“We believe ERG testing by IHC and ISH will play an important role in novel diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive tests for prostate cancer,” comments Mara G. Aspinall, Ventana president. “This license gives us a unique position for this important biomarker as we see the opportunity to incorporate the ERG marker into Ventana assays.”