Boditech Med and SphingoTec close Market Development Agreement to Boost Commercialization of Kidney Function Biomarker PenKid
- In 2022, Boditech Med and SphingoTec closed a global licensing agreement to develop and offer the Proenkephalin A 119-159 (penKid) test on Boditech's automated immunoassay systems.
- The current market development agreement aims at enhancing the commercialization of the upcoming assay for penKid and ultimately advancing AKI diagnostics.
Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea and Hennigsdorf/Berlin, Germany, August 31, 2023 - Boditech Med Inc. (“Boditech”) and SphingoTec GmbH (“SphingoTec”) today announced they have entered into a market development agreement (MDA), building on their previous licensing collaboration for the kidney function biomarker penKid. The MDA solidifies the partnership between Boditech and SphingoTec, aiming to support the successful commercialization of the assay for the biomarker penKid on the AFIAS platforms.
This strategic collaboration unites the expertise and resources of both companies to drive advancements in kidney health assessment, addressing the unmet needs in acute kidney injury (AKI) diagnosis. AKI is a life-threatening condition that affects 13 million patients worldwide (1), and existing diagnostic standards often fall short, particularly for non-stable patients (2). The biomarker penKid shows significant potential to address these unmet needs as it delivers information on kidney function earlier and more precisely than the currently used markers, even under renal replacement therapy (3,4).
Eui-Yul Choi, CEO, Boditech stated, “We are excited to soon introduce this innovative diagnostic biomarker to the market through our point-of-care platforms. To expedite market development, we have made the strategic decision to collaborate with SphingoTec, leveraging their know-how and experience in working alongside a global network of medical experts.”
SphingoTec's CEO, Jörg Menten, emphasized on the significance of the partnership saying “We are dedicated to expanding our collaboration and providing robust support for the commercialization of penKid. By combining expertise, resources, and a shared vision, both companies are committed to advance AKI diagnostics and improve the management of critically ill patients.”
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References
(1) Ponce D, et al. Acute kidney injury: risk factors and management challenges in developing countries. Int J Nephrol Renovasc Dis. 2016 Aug 22;9:193-200. doi: 10.2147/IJNRD.S104209. PMID: 27578995; PMCID: PMC5001661
(2) Makris K, et al. Acute Kidney Injury: Diagnostic Approaches and Controversies. Clin Biochem Rev. 2016 Dec;37(4):153-175. PMID: 28167845; PMCID: PMC5242479.
(3) Hollinger A, et al. Proenkephalin A 119-159 (Penkid) Is an Early Biomarker of Septic Acute Kidney Injury: The Kidney in Sepsis and Septic Shock (Kid-SSS) Study. Kidney Int Rep. 2018 Aug 22;3(6):1424-1433. doi: 10.1016/j.ekir.2018.08.006.
(4) von Groote et al. Proenkephalin A 119–159 predicts early and successful liberation from renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury: a post hoc analysis of the ELAIN trial. Crit Care 26, 333 (2022). doi.org/10.1186/s13054-022-04217-4