Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics Inc (OCD), a Johnson & Johnson company, and Caprion Pharmaceuticals Inc have entered into an exclusive licensing agreement to develop a human blood test for variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease (vCJD), the human equivalent of Mad Cow Disease. This test would be the first to detect the disease in human blood.

This arrangement is an extension of the initial research collaboration, where OCD exercised an option to license Caprion's prion technologies, including their unique monoclonal antibodies for the detection of the agent responsible for vCJD. OCD has obtained worldwide exclusive rights in marketing and distribution for human in vitro diagnostic applications and will fund all development activities and regulatory expenses.

"This agreement will utilize Caprion's proteomics expertise and understanding of the mutated proteins (prions) that cause vCJD and OCD's expertise in creating diagnostic assays," said Lloyd M. Segal, President and CEO of Caprion Pharmaceuticals. "Being the first to develop a method to screen for vCJD in human blood would represent a strong opportunity using our expertise with protein-related diseases and the strength of our proteomics capabilities."

"OCD looks forward to working with Caprion in helping to preserve the safety of the world's blood supply," said Catherine M. Burzik, President, Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics Inc. "Health care agencies worldwide are striving to ensure that blood supplies are safe and the development of a test for vCJD would allow them to do so."