Patients with elevated galectin-3 levels have a worse prognosis in terms of mortality or risk of hospitalization than comparable patients with low or normal levels of galectin-3 have. Measurement of galectin-3 in patients with heart failure offers clinically useful information that physicians can use as an aid in the stratification of patients diagnosed with heart failure.

BG Medicine, Inc. (Waltham, MA, USA) announced that it has entered into an agreement with Inverness Medical Innovations, Inc. (Waltham, MA, USA) for the development and commercialization of the galectin-3 test for Inverness' Triage Meter Pro.

Inverness will be responsible for the development of the test in accordance with agreed plans and milestones, and Inverness and BG Medicine will collaborate in support of development of the test and regulatory filings.

"BNP [B-natriuretic peptide] and galectin-3 each provide important independent information about a patient's heart failure,” said Pieter Muntendam, M.D., president and CEO of BG Medicine. "This business opportunity was created by the natural complementarity of the two tests.”

Upregulated in hypertrophied hearts, galectin-3 stimulates macrophage migration, fibroblast proliferation, and the development of fibrosis. Cardiac fibrosis and remodeling adversely impact outcomes in HF, being linked to disease progression. Measurement of galectin-3 in patients with HF may help identify patients at highest risk for readmission or death, potentially enabling care tailored to individual patient needs.

Inverness Medical Innovations is a leader in rapid point-of-care diagnostics; its products focus on infectious disease, cardiology, oncology, drugs of abuse, and women's health.

BG Medicine is a life sciences company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel diagnostics based on biomarkers to improve patient outcomes and contain healthcare costs.

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BG Medicine, Inc.
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