NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Curetis announced today that it has signed a deal making Beijing Clear Biotech the exclusive distributor of its Unyvero molecular testing system in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
The deal also includes the Unyvero P55 cartridge for the detection of non-viral pneumonia pathogens and drug-resistant bacteria, as well as the i60 ITI cartridge for the detection of implant and tissue infections.
According to Curetis, Beijing Clear will conduct and fund all prospective multi-center clinical trials required for approval of the system and cartridges in China and Hong Kong. Beijing Clear will also be responsible for leading the trial registration and approval process, and will pay all associated fees.
Curetis will pay Beijing Clear undisclosed milestones upon initiation of the studies, which are expected to be completed in 2017 at the earliest. The company noted that it will begin its marketing efforts in Taiwan as specific trials are not required for product registration in that country.
While Curetis will support commercialization of the Unyvero products through Chinese language marketing material and product training for sales representatives, Beijing Clear will be responsible for managing all local marketing and sales activities, as well as product storage and logistics.
Beijing Clear has also agreed to certain minimum annual purchase numbers of Unyvero systems and P55 and i60 cartridges.
"Beijing Clear Biotech is a well-established distributor with an impressive management team and a strong product portfolio," Curetis Chief Commercial Officer Achim Plum said in a statement. He added that the arrangement is expected to have commercial synergies as one of Beijing Clear's strategic partner handles Chinese distribution for Heraeus Medical, which co-developed the i60 cartridge.
Earlier this year, Curetis inked Unyvero distribution deals for Italy and the Middle East with Arrow Diagnostics and Al Zahrawi Medical, respectively.