NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Strand Life Sciences today announced a partnership with MRI Global to open a reference laboratory in India and develop companion diagnostics.
The partners will conduct joint research to integrate Strand's SmartLab informatics software with MRI Global's mobile, rapid diagnostics laboratories. Strand will also act as a validation hub for new technologies that are developed, including point-of-care devices.
Under the terms of the agreement, Bangalore, India-based Strand will undertake genomic biomarker discovery, perform bioinformatics data analysis, and design companion diagnostic tests and patient stratification strategies. MRI Global will independently validate assays in its US laboratories and help secure US Food and Drug Administration approval for co-developed diagnostic tests.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
Kansas City, Mo.-based MRI Global provides contract research services for government and industry.
"MRI Global has a distinguished record of high-quality work in the field of diagnostics particularly communicable diseases where they have been the gateway for some of the most advanced technologies in dealing with point-of-care diagnostics and in situ rapid response to epidemics with mobile labs," Strand CEO Vijay Chandru said in a statement. "In partnering with MRI Global, we will strengthen its activities in oncology-related genomics and companion diagnostics for targeted therapies."
In May 2014 Strand partnered with BioHealth Innovation to offer next-generation sequencing services in the US.