NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Biocept said today that it has signed a distribution agreement for its patented blood collection tubes with global lab product supplier VWR.
Under the terms of the deal, VWR will distribute these blood collection products — which have been validated to preserve ctDNA for up to 96 hours at room temperature — across global markets, except China.
In a statement, Biocept President and CEO Michael Nall said that the agreement marks the first step in Biocept's goal to transform itself from an exclusive CLIA lab business to a technology and products company.
The firm has already been using the tubes to transport patient samples containing both circulating tumor DNA and circulating tumor cells as part of its own liquid biopsy testing business, including specimens of blood, cerebrospinal fluid, sputum, and fluid obtained from pleural effusion.
"Collection and preservation of patient samples are key requirements to perform liquid biopsy, and given our historic use of these tubes for the transport and preservation of many liquid biopsy specimens, we believe that our BCTs offer a clinically robust solution," added Mike Terry, Biocept's senior vice president of commercial operations.