BioCurex Inc., a biotechnology company developing products based on patented technology in the areas of cancer diagnostics, on Feb. 11 said it has commercialized its OncoPet Recaf test for cancer detection in dogs. The test finds 85 percent of a variety of cancers in dogs, the company said, at the standard 95 percent specificity level in pre-market studies. This release marks the first commercialization of a blood-based test for the universal detection of cancer in companion animals, according to the company. The test identifies the presence of Recaf, a universal sign for malignant cell growth in humans and animals. BioCurex developed and patented the Recaf technology for cancer applications. The new testing service is available to veterinarians and animal clinical laboratories through BioCurex’s new wholly owned subsidiary OncoPet Diagnostics Inc. OncoPet Diagnostics assumes responsibility for marketing and commercialization of the testing service on a global basis, directly and through local and international distributorships. Based on location, veterinarians must send samples either to OncoPet’s testing facility or to regional collection centers. Denis Burger, Ph.D., BioCurex executive chairman, said that initially, OncoPet Diagnostics will offer services in a similar manner to traditional clinical laboratories. “One notable distinction,” he said, “is that we will produce all the necessary reagents for the test and the testing service will be performed in-house at our BioCurex facilities. This ensures a rapid path to commercialization is more profitable than selling test kits and requires no regulatory approvals.” In order to commercialize the testing service, OncoPet Diagnostics will pre-sell vouchers to distributors, each valid for one test. The distributor then sells the vouchers to the veterinarians who will send the voucher with the sample to a testing facility. OncoPet Diagnostics has developed a software system to manage the ordering, testing and reporting process. This system can be replicated, which allows for future expansion with minimal expense, as well as facilitate remote monitoring and quality control. The company plans to expand this testing service to other companion animals, notably cats, in the second half of 2010. <HOME>
