NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Agilent subsidiary Dako has entered into a "master framework agreement" with Eli Lilly to advance a companion diagnostic that gauges best responders for an undisclosed oncology treatment the drug maker is developing.
Although the initial focus of the collaboration will be to develop a test to accompany the specific drug, the framework agreement includes opportunities to expand the Rx/Dx partnership for other agents in Lilly's oncology pipeline.
"Tailored therapies are a key component of Lilly's strategy of providing improved outcomes for individual patients," Greg Zdechlik, chief operating officer of the diagnostics division at Lilly, said in a statement.
Framework deals that offer diagnostic firms the chance to collaborate with pharma and biotech on multiple companion test projects across the drug pipeline is fast becoming the preferred method of Rx/Dx partnership among industry players. Dako has had success in this regard.
Expanding an existing companion diagnostic partnership with Amgen, Dako has publicly announced it is developing tests for at least two investigational cancer agents.
Additionally, as a leading player in the companion diagnostics market, Dako also has deals in place with AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Genentech.