Abbott and Astellas Pharma have entered an agreement to collaborate on a Phase III trial for TransVax (ASP0113), an investigational vaccine licensed from Vical, Inc. for preventing cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation in transplant patients. Abbott's RealTime CMV assay will be used to monitor patients for CMV viral load to assess the vaccine's efficacy.
 
"Our agreement with Astellas gives us an opportunity to collaborate with another leader in the healthcare industry to better monitor patients to ensure proper treatment," said John Coulter, head of Abbott's molecular diagnostics business. "Abbott's investigational CMV test will be used as an important aid in assessing the efficacy of this promising vaccine which could significantly improve the overall outcome of transplant procedures."