Cytyc
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Chlamydia and gonorrhea testing directly from Cytyc ThinPrep Pap Test collection vial samples using Roche's Cobas Amplicor automated test system gains PMA supplement approval. Cytyc had indicated it would reevaluate a related October 2000 co-marketing agreement with Roche following its February agreement to purchase HPV test maker Digene, which also has chlamydia and gonorrhea testing technology. Roche announced June 6 that it will develop an HPV test to compete with Digene's, in a market expected to exceed $600 mil. by 2010, after acquiring HPV patents from Institut Pasteur. Ironically, the prospect of increased competition could simultaneously make the Digene purchase less attractive to Cytyc and more likely to receive anti-trust clearance, which is pending. Cytyc extended its offer for a sixth time on June 7, to June 21, following submission of requested information to FTC May 28 (1"The Gray Sheet" June 3, 2002, In Brief)...