While systemic lupus erythematosus is characterized by widespread inflammation, it is also a disease that correlates so frequently with kidney inflammation that clinicians diagnose and treat "lupus nephritis" as a distinct aspect of the condition. Azano Pharmaceuticals Inc. was established to develop C-reactive protein as a treatment for lupus nephritis. Though elevated blood levels of CRP are widely considered a biomarker of cardiovascular disease, Azano's founders say CRP also appears to have anti-inflammatory properties that might one day help lupus patients.

A roundup of recent medtech strategic alliances, mergers & acquisitions and financings.

Our monthly update on technology transfer deals--licensing agreements between companies and universities or other research institutions--in the fields of life sciences, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, in vitro diagnostics and research/analytical instrumentation and reagents.

Exagen Diagnostics Inc. is using a cutting-edge computational platform developed for the auto parts industry to identify biomarkers and proprietary technologies to converting these markers to familiar fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) formats. The two-year-old company is developing these into clinical molecular diagnostics.