Neoprobe inks development partner, continues to revive colorectal cancer test

DUBLIN, Ohio — Neoprobe Corp. has made a development and production deal for its colorectal cancer treatment, another step in reviving interest among drug regulators.

Laureate Pharma will work with Neoprobe to develop the drug, RIGScan CR, the company stated Tuesday. Neoprobe says RIGScan will be able to detect cancerous tissue other tests cannot find.

Terms of the agreement were not announced.

Neoprobe had told investors in June that the company would need a development partner for RIGScan, which was essentially dead after the FDA denied its application in 1997. But there has been renewed interest in recent years, and Neoprobe said it has had positive meetings with the European Medicines Agency and is awaiting guidance on a new application to the FDA.

“This agreement will allow us to leverage Laureate’s expertise and infrastructure while we seek to establish RIGScan CR as an improvement in the treatment for colorectal cancer,” David Bupp, Neoprobe’s president and chief executive officer, stated in a news release.