NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Akonni Biosystems and Seegene today said that they have signed an agreement to collaborate on the development of molecular diagnostic tests for infectious pathogens that cause respiratory diseases.
The collaboration will combine Seegene's Dual Priming Oligo multiplex PCR technology and Akonni's TruArray gel-drop microarray technology. The non-exclusive agreement is aimed at developing both point-of-care and ultra-high throughput diagnostic screening assays capable of simultaneously detecting a wide variety of pathogens from a single patient sample.
The partners said they believe the combined technologies will provide "more comprehensive and faster patient diagnosis, more timely delivery of appropriate treatments, a more streamlined workflow including end-to-end sample extraction through detection, and a significant reduction in overall assay and healthcare costs."
Frederick, Md.-based Akonni's TruArray tests run on its TruDx systems for point-of-care applications or its TruSentry system for multiplex genetic testing of up to 3,000 samples per day. Seoul, Korea-based Seegene's Dual Priming Oligo is a multiplexing PCR technology that enables simultaneous multi-pathogen detection.
Financial and other terms of the alliance were not disclosed.