In brief: Resonance Health; Covance

Australia's largest diagnostic imaging company, DCA Group (ASX: DVC) has agreed to launch and co-market Resonance Health's (ASX:RHT) liver diagnostic, FerriScan in Australia and potentially the UK.

The FerriScan test- developed by Resonance subsidiary Inner Vision Biometrics - uses magnetic resonance imaging to map iron levels in the liver. The data is analysed by IVB and used to detect iron overload disease, as an alternative to biopsy.

IVB and The DCA Group's I-Med/MIA Network will collaborate to secure public and private reimbursement for test in Australia and the UK. Resonance expects the first commercial sales of the test in March 2005. FerriScan is listed by Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration, giving it CE Mark registration in Europe, as a result of reciprocal arrangements between the TGA and its European counterparts.

Covance to use genomic testing in clinical trials International clinical research organisation Covance and microarray company Expression Analysis are teaming up to include genomic microarray testing as part of Covance's clinical trial services.

The microarray technology will be used to detect genes and biomarkers that may be indicative of the population of patients that will respond most effectively to a new drug.