November 5, 2007 - Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics today signed an agreement with B·R·A·H·M·S Aktiengesellschaft for the rights to develop, produce and distribute a Procalcitonin assay used to assist with the early diagnosis of patients at risk for progression to severe sepsis.
Severe sepsis (sepsis with acute organ dysfunction) is the number one cause of death in the noncoronary intensive care unit. Today, more than 750,000 Americans develop severe sepsis each year, equal to more than 2,000 new cases per day in the U.S. Cases of severe sepsis are expected to rise partly due to the widespread use of antibiotics, which encourages the growth of drug resistant microorganisms. Despite the enormous investment in critical care resources, severe sepsis mortality ranges from 28 percent to 50 percent or greater.
B·R·A·H·M·S Aktiengesellschaft will have the exclusive distribution right in relevant European markets for the PCT test manufactured by Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics under B·R·A·H·M·S’ license. Siemens will distribute the test to markets outside Europe.
The PCT test has already received regulatory approvals in Japan and the U.S. Outside of Europe, the licensed PCT test will be available on both the ADVIA Centaur and IMMULITE platforms from Siemens, whereas in Europe the licensed PCT test will only be available on the ADVIA Centaur platform.
For more information: www.siemens.com/diagnostics, www.brahms.de