Axis-Shield is to develop a new test for severe sepsis and septicaemia after gaining exclusive, worldwide access to Hansa Medical’s heparin-binding protein (HBP) diagnostic assay. Axis-Shield will develop the assay and seek commercial partners to incorporate the new technology into high-throughput systems. Lund, Sweden-based Hansa said that it has carried out initial studies that suggest serum levels of HBP are a “promising predictor for severe sepsis compared to inflammation markers [used in tests] presently on the market”. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. According to Axis-Shield, more than 200,000 people die from sepsis or septicaemia each year. The firm claims that “for every hour that severe sepsis onset is identified and properly treated, survival rates increase by 7.5%”.

Pipeline Watch is a weekly snapshot of selected late-stage clinical trial events and approvals announced by pharmaceutical and biotech companies at medical and industry conferences, in financial and company presentations, and in company releases and statements.

Alexion/AstraZeneca has announced positive top-line results from the Phase III study of ALXN1840 in patients with the rare genetic disorder, Wilson disease, including in patients already on standard-of-care therapies. The compound is ahead of two candidate gene therapies from other companies at early-stage clinical development.