Qiagen and Myriad Genetics have formed a new master collaboration agreement on the development of companion diagnostic tests for cancer.
The aim of the agreement is to develop and commercialize proprietary laboratory-developed cancer tests for the U.S. market and distributable companion diagnostic test kits for the global market, the companies said in a statement.
The initial project focus will involve working with pharmaceutical partners to develop assays using Qiagen's QiAcuity digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) platform or next-generation sequencing (NGS) workflows, the firms added.
The collaboration will utilize both companies’ strengths: Myriad will use its CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited lab platform, assay development expertise, and robust infrastructure for clinical sample testing. Qiagen will provide its solutions and technologies, including sample preparation, PCR, digital PCR (using the QIAcuity system), QIAseq NGS technologies, and the Qiagen Digital Insights bioinformatics portfolio. Furthermore, Qiagen will contribute its established global commercial channels and its good manufacturing practices (GMP)-certified manufacturing capabilities.
Financial and other details of the agreement were not disclosed.
Future projects the companies say are under consideration include advancing and kitting next-generation detection of measurable residual disease and homologous recombination deficiency, a condition where cells are unable to repair damaged DNA effectively.
Myriad anticipates that the partnership with Qiagen will further drive the expansion of its portfolio of oncology products. Both Qiagen and Myriad have ongoing collaborative partnerships with pharma and biotech companies, as well as academic institutions.
