Roche launches Ventana BAP1 disease diagnosis test

(AWP Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by global companies, issued on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and not separately reported by Alliance News:

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Roche Holding AG - Basel, Switzerland-based pharmaceutical company - Launches the Ventana BAP1 test for differential diagnosis of mesothelioma. The test "helps confidently distinguish malignant mesothelioma from lung, breast and stomach cancers, as well as benign tissue growth in the chest or abdomen," says the company. "Timely differential diagnosis of mesothelioma is critical to help deliver the best outcome for patients," says Matt Sause, chief executive of Roche Diagnostics. "Adding BAP1 to our portfolio underscores our commitment to developing innovative solutions that enable healthcare systems around the world to address diseases with high unmet need, such as mesothelioma."

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Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Ltd - Melbourne, Australia-based diversified biopharmaceutical company - Files dossier for the marketing authorisation of its Neuracthel Instant formulation as part of the European decentralised procedure. Neuracthel is a branded generic formulation of tetracosactide, a synthetic peptide analogue of adrenocorticotropic hormone, or ACTH. In Europe, ACTH products are administered as a therapy and a diagnostic tool for adrenal insufficiency, while the global ACTH market is estimated at USD1.3 billion annually, according to Clinuvel. "After considerable diligence, Clinuvel has been able to identify what we believe to be the optimal launch market for Neuracthel in Europe, based on a range of commercial and practical factors," says Dennis Wright, Clinuvel chief scientific officer.

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Star Entertainment Group Ltd Australia - Brisbane, Australia-based casino and hotel operator - Notes the judgement of the Federal Court of Australia in respect to the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre's proceedings brought against Star's subsidiaries, The Star Pty Ltd and The Star Entertainment Qld Ltd. Star accepts the penalty of AUD260 million, or roughly USD182.7 million, to be paid in four instalments over 19 months. "Given that the current ownership and management team had nothing to do with the actions that gave rise to the proceedings, we commend the work of AUSTRAC and the Federal Court," says Soo Kim, chief executive of The Star. "The Star looks forward to fostering a positive relationship with AUSTRAC and to demonstrating that The Star today has the right leadership, internal culture and operational processes to eliminate the kind of behaviours that the penalty is meant to dissuade."

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By John Robaina, Alliance News reporter

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