NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Molecular diagnostics firm PrimeraDx today announced a deal with Eli Lilly to develop diagnostics in support of the drug firm's therapeutic development programs.
The multiyear deal calls for the two firms to collaborate on the development of multiplex assays on PrimeraDx's ICEPlex System, an automated, high-throughput real-time PCR and capillary electrophoresis instrument. Financial and other terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"The unique ability of the ICEPlex System to combine multiple DNA and RNA biomarkers into a single multiplex assay could prove invaluable in our drive to develop companion diagnostics for crucial assets in our clinical pipeline," Andrew Schade, senior director of the Clinical Diagnostics Laboratory at Eli Lilly, said in a statement. He added that the initial focus will be on oncology, but all information will be applied across therapeutic areas.
Matt McManus, president and CEO of Mansfield, Mass.-based PrimeraDx, added that the deal furthers his firm along in its goal of "bringing personalized medicine to the clinic and being the leader in the high-value companion diagnostics space. These programs are a tremendous validation of our technology and its utility in the development of complex tests to better diagnose and treat patients."