Abbott Acquires Exclusive License for Bladder Cancer Biomarker

Abbott acquired exclusive rights for FGFR3 gene mutations for use in bladder cancer from Institut Curie. The FGFR3 biomarker can be used for early detection, disease monitoring and predicting patient outcomes using both urine and tissue-based testing. This license allows Abbott to expand its scientific commitment and market leadership in molecular diagnostics and bladder cancer.

“We are pleased to partner with Abbott given their deep expertise in molecular and companion diagnostics. Our agreement helps Institut Curie optimize the clinical utility of FGFR3, and we are looking forward to combining our strengths with Abbott to create a diagnostic to help improve care for bladder cancer patients,” said Damien Salauze, vice president, business development and licensing, Institut Curie.

Activating FGFR3 gene mutations are seen in about 70 percent of low-grade and 15 to 20 percent of high-grade bladder cancer cases. “FGFR3 mutations have a broad clinical utility, including early detection, disease monitoring and predicting patient outcomes, which offers an opportunity for doctors to help improve bladder cancer patient outcomes and quality of life,” said Michael Cookson, M.D., chairman, Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, and long-standing member of the Bladder Cancer Advisory Network’s Advisory Board.

Some 75,000 new cases of bladder cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. every year, according to the National Cancer Institute. Most patients with clinically localized bladder cancer (stages 0-2) can be treated successfully with surgery and chemotherapy. Nine in 10 patients with stage 1 bladder cancer live five years or longer. According to Monica Smith, executive director at the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, the FGFR mutation discovery is just one example of promising research to better understand bladder cancer and improve patient outcomes.

Abbott currently markets the only FDA-approved urine-based molecular test for bladder cancer, UroVysion, which is included in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and European Association of Urology guidelines.