Oxford Immunotec licenses B cell measuring technology from IDIBELL

Oxford Immunotec has agreed an exclusive cell measurement technology deal with Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), a biomedical research institute in Barcelona.

The new technology is used to measure antibody-secreting B cells and will help to broaden Oxford Immunotec's immunological measurement technology platform.

Data published in the medical journal Kidney International has demonstrated the efficacy of the B cell technology in assessing sensitised kidney transplant recipients not identified by current serological immune tests who are at high risk of transplant rejection.

Oxford Immunotec plans to use the technology to develop and commercially launch one or more additional tests within its line of products for transplant medicine, which would help find patients at risk for rejection who are currently being missed.

Dr Peter Wrighton-Smith, chief executive officer of Oxford Immunotec, said: "While there is still significant development work to be done to commercialise the test, the technical feasibility and potential value of the assay have been demonstrated in today's published study."

Last month, the company announced the enrolment of the first patient in its new REACT study of its T-SPOT CMV test among stem cell transplant patients.