BD Diagnostics, Sparks, Md, and Lab21, Greenville, SC, will collaborate to develop oncology assays for the BD MAX™ fully automated, benchtop molecular system.
Under the terms of the collaboration, Lab21 will develop polymerase chain reaction-based assays on the BD MAX platform for a series of oncology markers.
BD will be responsible for manufacturing and commercializing the tests worldwide.
The first two assays will be designed to detect mutations in the KRAS and BRAF genes. These initial assays were selected because of their current importance in optimizing the management of cancer patients. The agreement also includes the development of novel nucleic acid extraction procedures from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue.
The collaboration will develop BD’s first offering in personalized cancer diagnostics on the BD MAX system.
Financial terms of the agreement and information regarding additional assays were not disclosed.
[source: BD]
