Abbott's ALK Test is Now Available in Europe as a Companion Diagnostic Test to Aid in Identifying Patients for Targeted Lung Cancer Therapy

ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Oct. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) announced today that it will expand the current CE-IVD product labeling for its Vysis(®) ALK Break Apart FISH Probe Kit, allowing the test to be marketed in the European Union as a companion diagnostic. The test is designed to detect rearrangements of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who may be eligible for treatment with XALKORI (crizotinib), an oral first-in-class ALK inhibitor.

The Vysis ALK test kit uses Abbott's proprietary fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technology and was the only diagnostic test used in multi-center global clinical trials in conjunction with Pfizer's XALKORI (crizotinib). Patients in these global clinical trials for XALKORI were screened with Abbott's ALK FISH test to detect possible gene rearrangements and allow physicians to make important treatment decisions.

The Abbott test has been used by oncologists in the United States since it was co-approved with XALKORI by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in August 2011. The test offers clinicians a standardized, clinically validated method to identify patients more likely to benefit from the new therapy. In Europe, the CE-IVD test has been available to laboratories since September 2011 and has been used primarily in academic studies and to support evaluations of new therapies.

"Laboratories throughout Europe are familiar with and experienced in using the Vysis ALK FISH test so they will be able to start testing lung cancer patients immediately to help doctors decide if XALKORI is the right treatment option for them," said Kristina Rodnikova, head of Abbott's molecular diagnostics business in Europe.