NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) — Becton Dickinson said today that it has reached an agreement to market some of its pathogen tests using HandyLab's molecular diagnostic platform.
BD said it will market its molecular diagnostic assays on a new BD MAX system, which uses Handylab's Jaguar system.
The Jaguar system incorporates clinical sample preparation, nucleic acid extraction, microfluidic real-time PCR amplification and detection. HandyLab launched the system in November 2008.
BD said it will initially focus on using its GeneOhm assays that detect pathogens responsible for hospital-acquired infections, such as its tests for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus and toxigenic Clostridium difficile, in the new system.
"As our customers expand their HAI and sexually transmitted infection testing programs, they are seeking simple, flexible and fully automated systems to meet their increasing demands," Philippe Jacon, president of BD Diagnostics – Diagnostic Systems, said in a statement. "Our new BD MAX system will be a good strategic fit with our current platforms and those under development."
Financial terms of the agreement were not released.