B-MS to use XDx tests to develop Orencia

Bristol-Myers Squibb has signed a collaboration agreement with fellow USA-based XDx, a molecular diagnostics company focused on non-invasive  gene expression tests for the monitoring of immune-mediated conditions,  to identify biomarkers of systemic lupus erythematosus to be used in the  development of B-MS' Orencia (abatacept) in the treatment of rheumatoid  arthritis.

B-MS will make an upfront payment to XDx, in addition to milestones upon  the successful achievement of specific R&D objectives. XDx will receive  commercial rights to certain diagnostic applications resulting from the  collaboration.

XDx chief executive Pierre Cassigneul said: "we intend to continue  leveraging our R&D, clinical and bioinformatics capabilities through  partnerships to further demonstrate the utility of our innovative  biomarker identification technologies and diagnostic work in autoimmune  disease."