Danvers, MA-based Cell Signaling Technology (CST) has granted molecular diagnostics firm Cepheid a nonexclusive license to its patent for a method to detect gene rearrangements of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), used in PCR-based tests. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Using CST technology, Cepheid will be developed a test to detect ALK gene rearrangements in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the IP-granting firm said. According to CST, preliminary research has shown that approximately 3% to 5% of NSCLC tumors show ALK rearrangements. Along with one of its partners, CST said it holds the majority of IP rights for methods to detect EML4-ALK translocation in cancer cells.

“We are very pleased with the fact that the cooperation of the Cepheid, in which we will develop molecular research and diagnostic solutions for the detection of fusion gene EML4-ALK,” Michael J. Comb, Ph.D., CST president and CEO, said in a statement. “We believe that it is the logical step associated with the development of our portfolio of patents and research in the field of improving the detection of EML4-ALK expression that enable more effective diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients.”

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