Abbott inks pact with Astellas Pharma in Phase 3 clinical trial for ASP0113

Abbott said it has signed a pact to collaborate with Astellas Pharma Global Development in a Phase 3 clinical trial for ASP0113.

ASP00113 is an investigational vaccine licensed from Vical Incorporated for preventing cytomegalovirus reactivation in transplant patients.

As per the agreement signed, Abbott’s RealTime CMV assay will be used to monitor patients for CMV viral load to assess the vaccine’s efficacy.

John Coulter, Head of Abbott’s molecular diagnostics business said, “Our agreement with Astellas gives us an opportunity to collaborate with another leader in the healthcare industry to better monitor patients to ensure proper treatment.”

Mr.  Coulter also said, “Abbott’s investigational CMV test will be used as an important aid in assessing the efficacy of this promising vaccine which could significantly improve the overall outcome of transplant procedures.”

This deal represents the fourth collaboration signed by Abbot in the last 12 months with a leading pharmaceutical company.

Its recent partnerships with GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, and Merck focuses on developing companion diagnostic tests for novel oncology therapeutics and focusing on developing of companion diagnostic tests.

Abbott is a global, broad-based healthcare company involved in discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical and medical products. Astellas Pharma is a Japanese pharmaceutical company formed through the merger of Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd and Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. It has its headquarters in Tokyo.