ABD Serotec, a unit of Morphosys, has gained access to a potent anti-PTH antibody for commercial use in research and diagnostic applications.
This is the result of the company signing an exclusive licence agreement with UCL Business PLC (UCLB), the technology development company of University College London (UCL).
The anti-PTH antibody forms the basis of an existing relationship between ABD Serotec and a diagnostic company that markets clinical parathyroid hormone assays.
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is the most important regulator of calcium levels in the human body.
When blood calcium becomes too low, calcium-sensing receptors in the parathyroid gland are activated and parathyroid hormone is secreted, thereby mobilising calcium release from bone and suppressing calcium loss in urine.
The measurement of PTH is important in determining the cause of excessively high or low calcium levels.
High levels may be a result of a parathyroid gland tumour, which is usually benign (primary hyperparathyroidism), or secondary hyperparathyroidism, which is usually a result of kidney failure.
Low levels may be the result of a failure of the parathyroid gland.
In primary hyperparathyroidism, the parathyroid tumour must be removed.
PTH assays are used as a routine clinical tool to detect decreases in plasma PTH levels after all diseased tissue has been excised, even while surgery is taking place.
The test allows a more limited procedure by confirming the complete removal of diseased tissue and has reduced the need for repeated surgery.
PTH assays in other conditions provide clinicians with important information that assists in managing patients with abnormal calcium levels.
