Germany-based Qiagen recently announced deals involving acquisition of the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology company, Verogen, and a partnership with the population-based genomics company, Helix.
Verogen provides NGS tools and professional services to help resolve criminal and missing persons cases. Qiagen and Verogen previously established a commercialization partnership through a distribution agreement.
In the late 1990s, Qiagen launched the first commercial kits to purify DNA from forensic casework samples. The company’s sample collection and preparation kits, genetic testing analysis, and workflow automation products are used by forensic science laboratories and criminal investigators worldwide.
Qiagen officials said that the acquisition will help investigators and researchers to advance forensic science, find missing persons, and accurately identify suspects. Verogen officials said the acquisition will expand the value of Verogen’s portfolio to forensics customers and investigative agencies, and further drive adoption of NGS in criminal investigations.
Additionally, Qiagen also has formed a new partnership with Helix aimed at advancing companion diagnostics for hereditary diseases where Qiagen will be the exclusive U.S. marketing and contracting partner for Helix’s companion diagnostic services.
The partnership will leverage Helix’s Laboratory Platform, which received the first ever U.S. Food and Drug Administration de novo class II authorization for a whole exome sequencing platform.
According to Qiagen, the partnership can help biopharmaceutical customers with hereditary disease therapies, complementing solutions both companies already provide, such as Helix’s population genomics programs and Qiagen’s diagnostic expertise, QIAseq Human Exome Kits, and supporting research initiatives outside of the U.S.
The deal aims to help with trial recruitment by giving researchers access to a genomic database to find patients with biomarker signatures almost instantaneously, Qiagen officials added.
Helix officials said that the company’s technology and regulatory capabilities coupled with Qiagen’s well-established worldwide companion diagnostic development expertise will allow Helix to expand critical access to genomic testing for both patients and providers working daily to fight life-threatening conditions.
AGILENT AND QUEST DIAGNOSTICS COLLABORATE FOR LIQUID BIOPSY TEST
Agilent Technologies recently announced an agreement with Quest Diagnostics that gives immediate U.S. access to Agilent Resolution ctDx FIRST, a next-generation liquid biopsy assay.
ctDx FIRST is the first liquid biopsy test approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a companion diagnostic (CDx) to identify advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who may benefit from treatment with KRAZATI (adagrasib). ctDx FIRST is also FDA-approved for tumor profiling of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in accordance with professional guidelines in oncology for patients with advanced NSCLC.
Under the agreement, Quest will offer ctDx FIRST to healthcare providers in the U.S. seeking a minimally invasive liquid biopsy test option as a CDx for KRAZATI (adagrasib). Healthcare providers can order the test electronically through the Quest connectivity platform, which connects to hundreds of electronic medical records. Healthcare providers may direct patients to provide specimens at one of Quest’s 2,100 patient service centers across the U.S. Integrating Quest’s electronic health record platform and access to its national patient center network will make it easier for healthcare providers to incorporate ctDx FIRST as part of regular clinical care, according to the companies.
THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC ACQUIRES THE BINDING SITE GROUP
Thermo Fisher Scientific recently announced that it has completed acquisition of The Binding Site Group, a United Kingdom specialty diagnostics company.
The Binding Site’s diagnostic assays and instruments improve the diagnosis and management of blood cancers and immune system disorders. The company’s Freelite technology is widely recommended for multiple myeloma diagnosis and monitoring across all stages of the disease by major clinical guideline publications, Thermo Fisher said.
Thermo Fisher officials added that the acquisition enhances its portfolio by adding innovation in diagnostics and monitoring for multiple myeloma.
ATOMO, NG BIOTECH PARTNER ON BLOOD-BASED PREGNANCY TEST
Atomo Diagnostics and NG Biotech recently announced a deal to collaborate on the manufacturing and distribution of blood-based pregnancy tests for use in both homes and clinical settings.
The companies recently reported that the deal involves a test that combines NG Biotech’s human chorionic gonadotropin assay with Atomo’s integrated Pascal blood testing instrument. Under the agreement, Atomo will provide the Pascal instruments and an exclusive license for NG Biotech to use the devices to manufacture rapid pregnancy tests.
Atomo also secured exclusive rights to distribute the tests in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. Atomo plans to seek regulatory approval for the Atomo-branded test in Australia and New Zealand.
TRINITY BIOTECH PARTNERS WITH IMAWARE FOR DIGITAL HEALTH
Trinity Biotech recently announced a strategic partnership with imaware that combines imaware’s built-to-partner digital health platform with Trinity Biotech’s advanced reference laboratory facilities to power at-home and remote testing programs.
With the deal, Trinity Biotech aims to accelerate partnership commercialization efforts with a pipeline of payer-sponsored digital health solutions, telehealth services, provider networks, healthcare marketplaces, retail pharmacies, and pharmaceutical companies.
Trinity Biotech plans to become imaware’s lab testing partner, with plans to provide seamless follow-up confirmatory testing for imaware’s users.
The partnership will focus on providing fully integrated private and white-label solutions specifically designed for the needs of digital health channel partners with industry-leading rapid turnaround with patient-centric ecosystem integration, Trinity said.
The partners plan to evolve their offerings with user-interface innovations and the integration of lab and at-home rapid test programs that leverage Trinity Biotech’s point-of-care product development and manufacturing capabilities.