WALTHAM, Mass. –(BUSINESS WIRE)– BG Medicine announced today that Laboratory Corporation of America®Holdings (LabCorp®)now offers galectin-3 testing services using the BGM Galectin-3 test for heart failure. The BGMGalectin-3 test was cleared by the FDA in November 2010 as an aid in assessing the prognosis of patients withchronic heart failure. Elevated galectin-3 levels are associated with an inherently progressive form of heart failurethat is associated with an increased risk of hospitalization or death. LabCorp provides convenient access togalectin-3 testing for physicians and their patients throughout the United States.
“The LabCorp collaboration provides a convenient way for physicians nationwide to become familiar with therole of galectin-3 in heart failure and to access and use galectin-3 testing to improve patient outcomes”
“The LabCorp collaboration provides a convenient way for physicians nationwide to become familiar with the roleof galectin-3 in heart failure and to access and use galectin-3 testing to improve patient outcomes,” said PieterMuntendam, MD, President and CEO of BG Medicine. “Galectin-3 testing provides new information on theunderlying disease process in patients with heart failure to enable more personalized medical management.”
Heart failure is a condition caused by a combination of diseases or factors that damage or overwork the heartmuscle, resulting in its inability to pump blood efficiently to meet the requirements of other body organs. Thiscondition often leads to serious medical complications and is a leading cause of death. According to the AmericanHeart Association, heart failure affects an estimated 5.8 million Americans with 670,000 new diagnoses each year.The estimated direct and indirect cost of this condition in the US is $39.2 billion.
About BG Medicine
BG Medicine is a life sciences company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of noveldiagnostics based on biomarkers to improve patient outcomes and contain healthcare costs. To learn more aboutgalectin-3 and the BGM Galectin-3 test, visit website www.galectin-3.com.
Contacts
BG Medicine, Inc.
Michael W. Rogers, 781-890-1199
EVP & Chief Financial Officer