BioCurex, Inc.(fka BOCX)

[Kag]

"If Abbott were able to ink an exclusive agreement with BioCurex, why would they license the technology to their competitors. I just don't see BioCurex giving Abbott full control of their technology."

Abbott's stated goal is to implement RECAF serum assays on their Architect analyzers. Not all hospitals and medical test centers own Architect analyzers. They may own some other company's automated analyzers. The regional medical center in the part of the state where I live just owns Bayer analyzers. Because of this, there is precedent in the diagnostics industry for one diagnostics company to license or sublicense (for royalties) their assays to other large diagnostic companies (who obtain quickie 510k FDA approvals under the "substantial equivalence" provision) to run the assays on their brand of analyzers. The is a nice arrangement whereby hospitals and medical test centers don't have to purchase every different brand of analyzers in order to run a specific assay and diagnostic companies maximize their revenue from their assays through royalties. If Abbott has an exclusive license for all serum RECAF assays, Abbott always gets a royalty (and so would BioCurex) from any sublicensed assay ran on another diagnostic company's analyzer. Be assured that Abbott will determine which way (to keep there semi-exclusive license or pay more BioCurex for an exclusive) will likely make them the greatest revenue.

"How does Abbott incorporate a new FDA approved test into the analyzers already in use. Do the hospital's/labs purchase an upgrade at an additional cost."

Automated analyzers have provisions to implement new assays into their platforms. Software changes update their chemistry database, but hardware changes may be required too. The testing laboratories without any doubt pay for any software or hardware changes and ability to run new assays. But that cost is just passed along to the insurance companies and patients who pay medical bills. kag