HDL claims elevated blood levels of gamma prime fibrinogen can indicate increased risk of coronary artery disease.

Richmond, Va — Health Diagnostic Laboratory Inc, (HDL) has announced a partnership to develop a novel laboratory developed test with Gamma Therapeutics, Inc, an Oregon-based biotechnology venture developing diagnostic test and surgical therapy solutions for the cardiovascular disease industry.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke are responsible for 16.7 million, or 29.9% of total global deaths associated with some type of disease, according to the World Health Organization. In 2010, CVD became the leading cause of death in developing countries. At least 20 million people survive heart attacks and strokes every year; many require continuing costly clinical care.

Gamma Therapeutics, launched in November 2010, is bringing to market in a joint product development effort with HDL, a novel CVD Risk Assay to enhance cardiologists’ ability to assess heart attack and stroke risk by providing a new predictive and prognostic tool. The laboratory developed CVD Risk Assay is based upon a naturally occurring clotting protein in human blood called Gamma Prime Fibrinogen, a biomarker strongly associated with cardiovascular disease. The laboratory-developed test version of the Gamma Therapeutics’ CVD Assay will be offered exclusively by HDL, Inc., which also will take the lead in BETA testing of the assay for FDA approval.

The Gamma Therapeutics’ executive management team includes David H. Farrell, PhD, founder and CSO and David F. Eastman, MSc, CEO. Its science advisory board is comprised of leading scientists in cardiovascular disease, pathology and hematology research, with expertise in CVD patient medicine and preventative care, cardiovascular surgery, heart attack and stroke risk assessment, clinical and diagnostic testing, surgery-based treatment and business experience in growing biotechnology and medical device ventures.

The launch of the partnership between HDL and Gamma Therapeutics represents a combined effort to advance the preventative model for chronic disease management, based on a recent monumental shift in the way physicians test for life-threatening conditions.

"The results are simple," said Tonya Mallory, HDL CEO and co-founder. "Thanks to advanced testing, it’s now possible to reveal risk factors and biomarkers for cardiovascular and related diseases. The partnership with Gamma Therapeutics demonstrates HDL’s ongoing goal to provide best of breed biomarkers, such as this new assay." Using a systematic approach to identify factors contributing to disease allows HDL, Inc. to provide its physicians with a better basis for effective treatment plans.

SOURCE: Health Diagnostic Laboratory Inc