Clinical Genomics acquires cancer-screening lab Enterix

In a deal set to make them a major player in colorectal cancer screening in Australia, Clinical Genomics has acquired the US-based cancer screening company Enterix from Quest Diagnostics, along with its Sydney-based subsidiary Enterix Australia.

Clinical Genomics is gearing up to launch its blood-based biomarker test for detecting colorectal cancer in the first half of 2014 and these new commercial assets will be used as the platform to launch the test.

The company has a patent pending on the test, which has been developed in collaboration with CSIRO Preventative Health Flagship and the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer at Flinders University in Adelaide.

The acquisition provides the company with a regulatory-licensed manufacturing facility in the USA and Australia. It also provides Sydney-based Clinical Genomics access to a speciality pathology laboratory in Sydney for selling bowel cancer screening services.

As well as the laboratory services company, the deal also gives Clinical Genomics ownership of the patented InSure fecal immunochemical test (FIT) ‘brush test’ product line. This product is currently distributed in Australia to pharmacies (via BowelScreen Australia) and directly to general practitioners.

The InSureFIT will be combined with Clinical Genomic's blood-based biomarker test to deliver a portfolio of colorectal cancer screening products aimed at delivering a user-friendly, patient-preferred screening option.

“This is a key step in our transition from a biotech company focused primarily on research and development into a commercial entity with a portfolio of cancer screening products and an exciting pipeline,” Clinical Genomics CEO Dr Lawrence LaPointe said in a statement.