Baxter and bioMerieux are partnering on the development of biomarkers for acute kidney injury. The team at Astute Medical, which was recently acquired by bioMerieux, will develop the biomarkers in hopes of improving patient care and quickly identifying AKI.

McMaster University's Biointerfaces Institute, based in Ontario, signed a research collaboration with Q BioMed and its technology partner Mannin Research to develop a GDF15 biomarker diagnostic kit that can be used to monitor glaucoma severity and progression. The goal is to develop prototype assays ideal for point-of-care testing.

Oxford BioDynamics agreed to join a clinical trial conducted by Imperial College London that aims to evaluate different methods of prostate cancer screening. As part of the deal, Oxford will use its EpiSwitch diagnostic biomarker assay to assess trial participants for prostate cancer.

Data on 5,101 women who attended a postpartum visit within 180 days of giving birth showed 78% had not had a lipid screening before the postpartum date, researchers reported at the American College of Cardiology's annual meeting. Researcher Dipika Gopal said the study should be a call to action to encourage lipid screening in pregnant women.

The reason hormonal birth control methods aren't 100% effective, even in compliant patients, may be due to a genetic mutation in some women, according to a study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology. Researchers say about 5% of women are genetically predisposed to produce an enzyme that lessens the effectiveness of hormonal birth control.

British researchers discovered that the epigenetic protein EZH2 could become a novel therapeutic target in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. EZH2 delays disease development until the disease is established, but after that point it promotes tumor growth.

Walgreens Boots Alliance signed a deal to sell in the UK Concepta Diagnostics' CE-marked myLotus at-home fertility monitoring system, which consists of an app and fertility monitor designed to help women measure their luteinizing hormone levels at home, calculate their most fertile days and determine whether they are pregnant. Concepta Chair Matthew Walls said the company, in partnership with Walgreens, expects to launch myLotus in other EU markets in the coming months.

Oncimmune Holdings entered into an all-share deal to acquire German firm Protagen for over $4.6 million. Oncimmune CEO Adam Hill said the deal "will accelerate Oncimmune's product discovery process, will grow our library of known and novel immunogenic proteins, and will underpin the group's ability to deliver value through the development of complementary diagnostics, a key component of our three-year forward strategy."

Everstone Group, through its health care platform Everlife, acquired an undisclosed stake in CPC Diagnostics, an India-based medical device company that exports products to Middle East and European countries.

Dr. Alison Woodworth will describe a variety of clinical laboratory tests that are available to determine the well-being of the mother as well as the fetus and to assess the risk of complications. March 27, 2019.

The Professional Practice in Clinical Chemistry conference is designed to expand your knowledge and confidence when advising and engaging with the healthcare team. April 25-27, 2019