NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Qiagen and Biotype Diagnostics today announced a joint venture establishing Biotype Innovation to develop and commercialize molecular diagnostic workflows.
The workflows to be developed will be initially for personalized healthcare applications based on Qiagen's ModaPlex platform for detecting, characterizing, and measuring up to 100 parameters cost effectively and rapidly.
Qiagen acquired the ModaPlex platform when it bought molecular diagnostics startup PrimeraDx last year. The multi-analyte testing system received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration in late 2013.
Qiagen will contribute its technology and access to its global commercialization infrastructure to the partnership, while Biotype Dx will contribute its expertise, assay development resources, and scientific network. The partners noted that the assays developed by Biotype Innovation are expected to expand the menu of ModaPlex assays in the companion diagnostics space.
Qiagen will have worldwide distribution rights to the assays, while Biotype Dx will have co-distribution rights in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Other terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Biotype Innovation, to be based in Dresden, Germany, is expected to be operational by the third quarter, the companies said.
"This partnership enables us to expand the menu of our unique ModaPlex platform, offer assay development services for pharma companies, and thereby expand our leadership in companion diagnostics," Qiagen CEO Peer Schatz said in a statement.