NEW YORK – Bio-Rad Laboratories this week moved a lawsuit alleging patent infringement by 10x Genomics to the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The suit, filed Sept. 11 — on the eve of 10x Genomics' initial public offering — alleged that 10x's new line of Next GEM microfluidic chips infringed US Patent No. 8,871,444, licensed by Bio-Rad from Harvard University and the UK's Medical Research Council, among other patents. The firm refiled the case because 10x had objected to the original venue of the US District Court for the District of Delaware.
Expedeon announced this week that all management proposals were approved at its general meeting in Heidelberg by a large majority and without objection. The meeting was held to seek shareholder approval for a sale and purchase agreement with Abcam, associated with the sale announced in November of Expedeon's proteomics and immunology business for €120 million. Shareholders also approved a measure to change the company's name to 4basebio, reflecting its new focus on DNA manufacturing for gene therapy and gene vaccines.
Bio-Techne this week announced that its Exosome Diagnostics laboratory has received accreditation from the College of American Pathologists based on the results of a recent on-site inspection. The firm noted that the CAP accreditation comes on the heels of CLIA, ISO 13485, and New York state certifications already awarded to the firm for its laboratory in Waltham, Massachusetts.
MedGenome Labs said this week it has been re-accredited by the College of American Pathologists. The CAP checklist covers clinical pathology, anatomic pathology, cytopathology, molecular pathology, and other disciplines along with overall management and operation of the medical lab, the Indian company said.
Genomind and Albertsons Companies said this week that they are expanding their partnership to offer patients genetic testing at more locations. The companies originally partnered in June 2018 to allow pharmacy patients at select Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, and Acme supermarkets to voluntarily receive free education about Genomind's Genecept Assay, the genetic test designed to help clinicians optimize treatment decisions for their patients dealing with mental health issues.
Now, specially trained pharmacists in all Acne pharmacies in Pennsylvania and select Albertsons pharmacies in Idaho will offer the Genomind Professional PGx Express genetic testing service to guide mental health medication management. Pharmacists will also have access to G-Dig, Genomind's proprietary software system with updated information on how drugs may interact with patient genotypes and other drugs.
Castle Biosciences announced this week that it will be added to the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index, effective prior to the opening of the market on Dec. 23, 2019. Companies in the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index must meet eligibility requirements, including minimum market capitalization and average daily trading volume, among other criteria, Castle said. The company also noted that it was also included in the US small-cap Russell 2000 Index in 2019.
The US Food and Drug Administration this week issued a final rule requiring that medical device premarket submissions be sent in electronic format, eliminating the need for multiple paper submissions. The FDA said that with this final rule, it was taking action to improve the efficiency of its premarket submission program.
Abbott announced this week that it raised its quarterly common dividend 12.5 percent to $.36 per share. The cash dividend is payable Feb. 14, 2020, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Jan. 15, 2020.
In Brief This Week is a selection of news items that may be of interest to our readers but had not previously appeared on 360Dx.