(Sharecast News) - Renalytix announced the commercial availability of 'kidneyintelX.dkd' testing in six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets on Friday - Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates.

The AIM-traded firm said the expansion was made possible through a strategic distribution agreement with Vector Pharma.

It said the move came in the wake of Renalytix's recent FDA marketing authorisation for kidneyintelX.dkd, and represented a strategic step to extend testing services beyond the US market through carefully-selected distribution partners.

Renalytix said the kidneyintelX.dkd test was a solution designed to address the challenges posed by CKD chronic kidney disease in diabetic patients.

"As in the United States, patient care for early-stage diabetes and kidney disease is in the hands of primary care clinicians," said Renalytix president Tom McLain.

"Traditional laboratory distributors do not call on primary care practices.

"Our partnership with Vector Pharma, a pharmaceutical distributor with proven access and contacts in primary care, will accelerate efforts to introduce kidneyintelX.dkd and expand test adoption."

At 1541 BST, shares in Renalytix were up 8.08% at 129.7p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.