Nicox, Sequenom enter marketing agreement for new AMD test

Sophia Antipolis, France and San Diego-Nicox Inc. has been granted the North American promotional rights to Sequenom Laboratories’ RetnaGene AMD laboratory-developed test for the evaluation of a patient’s risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) disease progression within 2, 5, and 10 years.

“We are delighted to have formed this agreement with Sequenom Laboratories to market the (AMD test), which fits perfectly within our diagnostics portfolio, and potentially other novel genetic tests in the future,” said Jerry St. Peter, executive vice president and general manager of Nicox Inc. “Nicox is further strengthening its position with ophthalmic diagnostics by continually bringing innovative tests to eye-care professions in North America.”

Nicox expects to begin promoting the AMD test in the United States during the first half of this year.

“We are pleased to collaborate with Nicox to expand access to the AMD test to clinicians and their patients, and we are confident in Nicox’s ability to leverage its growing sales team and expertise in the ophthalmic arena to successfully market the test,” said William Welch, president and chief operating officer of Sequenom Inc.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sequenom Laboratories will grant Nicox exclusive rights to promote the test to eye care practitioners in North America (United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Mexico) and co-exclusive rights toward specialized retina physicians.

Sequenom Laboratories will provide the sample collection materials and will perform the testing in its CLIA-certified laboratory at an agreed price to Nicox. Also, Sequenom Laboratories will contribute existing commercial and clinical expertise, and marketing intelligence to expedite increased market demand and uptake within the general ophthalmology and optometry segments.

Nicox will be responsible for all marketing and promotional activities, and will directly promote the testing services to eye-care practitioners.

The agreement also grants Nicox exclusive rights to an additional AMD laboratory-developed test currently in late-stage development, as well as an exclusive option on further laboratory-developed tests formed by Sequenom Laboratories that are applicable in the ophthalmic space.

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