ALZpath Inc. has signed a global licensing agreement with Abbott (NYSE: ABT) to incorporate ALZpath's proprietary phosphorylated Tau 217 (pTau217) antibody into an in vitro diagnostic test for Alzheimer's disease, according to a press release.

The test would be designed for use on Abbott's Alinity ci-series systems. The agreement covers development of a blood-based diagnostic intended to detect Alzheimer's disease pathology.

ALZpath's pTau217 antibody has been cited in more than 200 peer-reviewed publications across 18 countries. The company positions the antibody as an alternative to PET imaging and cerebrospinal fluid analysis, which require more invasive procedures and greater resources to deploy.

"As blood-based biomarkers become central to how Alzheimer's disease is detected and managed, partnering with a global healthcare leader like Abbott can enable high-performance testing to reach clinicians and patients around the world at scale," said Mike Banville, CEO of ALZpath.

John Frels, vice president of research and development in Abbott's Core Diagnostics business, said the collaboration is "accelerating the next era of Alzheimer's disease research, clinical trials for therapies and ultimately patient care."

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.