Schering-Plough to develop oral HCV test

Schering-Plough has announced that it is to collaborate with OraSure to develop a new oral test for the detection of antibodies to the hepatitis C virus (HCV).

The agreement states that Schering-Plough will reimburse OraSure for the costs that it incurs in the development of a rapid HCV oral test. Although sales of the HCV test will be through OraSure, the drug will be cobranded when made available to doctors.

HCV is a highly common virus that is higher in frequency among adults aged between 30 and 49, with Schering Plough stating that the number of fatalities from HCV-related liver disease is set to increase “substantially” in the next one or two decades, due to the progression of the disease.

Douglas A Michels, president and chief executive officer of OraSure Technologies, comments: “We believe a rapid oral fluid HCV test has significant commercial and medical value in that it will help identify more individuals who are infected, thus enabling them to receive appropriate treatment.

“We look forward to a long and successful collaboration with Schering-Plough on this important product.”

The news follows reports that Schering Plough has reached a deal to commercialise and develop allergy treatments via ALK-Abello.

Schering Plough will gain exclusive licensing rights to market, develop and distribute the therapies as part of the deal.