Eli Lilly and Co. and Biosite, Inc. have signed an agreement to collaborate on a clinical trial employing a therapy strategy for Lilly’s severe sepsis drug, Xigris. The trial, RESPOND (Research Evaluating Serial Protein C levels in severe sepsis patients ON Drotrecogin alfa), will investigate the use of a multipurpose biomarker, Protein C, to be used in connection with the administration of Xigris.

Under the terms of the agreement, Biosite will develop a rapid, point-of-care diagnostic capable of measuring Protein C levels. Lilly will use the Biosite test, as well as other existing FDA approved Protein C tests, to enroll patients in its upcoming Phase IIb trial, which is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year. Investigators also will use the tests to help with individualized dose and duration of Xigris therapy and to evaluate patient response. The agreement also grants Biosite rights to intellectual property in the field of sepsis diagnosis. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.