Ventana launches first fully automated IHC companion diagnostic in Europe to identify ALK protein expression in lung cancer patients

Ventana launches first fully automated IHC companion diagnostic in Europe to identify ALK protein expression in lung cancer patients PR Newswire TUCSON, Arizona, Oct. 25, 2012 -- ALK diagnostic coincides with Pfizer's XALKORI® availability in EU member states TUCSON, Arizona, Oct. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. (Ventana), a member of the Roche Group, today announced the European launch of the VENTANA ALK immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay as a companion diagnostic for detecting ALK protein expression. The test is designed to identify ALK-positive patients for treatment with Pfizer's approved non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) therapy, XALKORI® (crizotinib). The launch of the VENTANA ALK (D5F3) Rabbit Monoclonal Primary Antibody assay (1) coincides with Pfizer's approval and availability of XALKORI in all EU member states. Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. (Ventana) Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with NSCLC being the most common sub-type. One important biomarker in NSCLC is the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion gene, which is associated with pathologic expression of an ALK fusion protein. The detection of ALK positivity is very important for NSCLC patients because inhibition of the ALK tyrosine kinase has led to tumor shrinkage for ALK-positive patients.