Tokos Buys Marketing Rights to Fetal Test:...

Tokos Buys Marketing Rights to Fetal Test: Tokos Medical Corp. of Santa Ana has purchased the exclusive marketing rights in the United States and Canada for a test that measures fetal fibronectin, a protein that is present in pregnant women who are close to delivery. The test for the protein, which is being developed by Adeza Biomedical Corp. of Sunnyvale, could give doctors the first reliable indication of premature delivery. Tokos said it paid $10 million for a minority equity position in Adeza. The money will pay for clinical trials aimed at Food and Drug Administration approval of the test within two years, Tokos said. The company, which provides uterine monitors and nursing services to pregnant women at high risk of premature delivery, said the purchase will result in a loss of about 23 cents per share in its fourth quarter.