BG Medicine has entered into an agreement with Abbott Laboratories to extend its current development and commercialization collaboration to include the development of a galectin-3 test for Abbott Point of Care’s i-STAT System.

Galectin-3 is a novel biomarker that may play a role in detecting the development and progression of heart failure.

Abbott Point of Care’s i-STAT System, a handheld diagnostic blood-testing device, is a portable instrument coupled with single use diagnostic cartridges for rapid point-of-care testing (POCT). It combines semiconductor technology, computer electronics and diagnostic software to analyze two or three blood droplets collected on single-use i-STAT cartridges inserted into the analyzer.

Under the agreement, Abbott will be responsible for the development of the test in accordance with certain plans and milestones, and BG Medicine and Abbott will collaborate in support of regulatory filings and studies to support the clinical utility of galectin-3 in the management of patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

Pieter Muntendam, president and CEO of BG Medicine, said: “Heart failure is one of the most costly medical conditions. Despite important advances in diagnosis, there remain significant unmet needs in assessing patients with heart failure and selecting a course of action both in emergency room and non-acute care settings. This collaboration is an important step toward determining the exact role this test can play in assisting physicians in their efforts to improve outcomes and reduce cost of care.”