NEW YORK – NeuMoDx Molecular and Sentinel Diagnostics have formed a partnership to develop new molecular diagnostics assays, the companies announced Monday. The assays will be for the detection and monitoring of post-transplant infections, parasitic and hospital acquired infections, and respiratory infections; and for pharmacogenetics applications, the firms said in a statement.
Ann Arbor, Michigan-based NeuMoDx offers two automated, random-access, sample-to-results molecular diagnostics instruments, the NeuMoDx 96 and 288 Molecular Systems. The firm has been expanding the assay menu for the systems both through internal development and through partnerships, such as with SelfScreen and XCR Diagnostics.
Sentinel Diagnostics, a kit developer based in Milan, Italy, has developed a proprietary chemistry called STAT-NAT to stabilize the PCR mix. The chemistry enables room temperature transport and storage, as well as performance improvement.
Sentinel's qPCR assays will be adapted to the NeuMoDx 96 and 288 Molecular Systems and will incorporate the STAT-NAT technology, the firms said, which will also be specifically optimized for the NeuMoDx Molecular systems.
Financial and other terms of the deal were not disclosed.
NeuMoDx received clearance for its 288 system and an assay for Group B Strep last year, and also has also obtained CE-IVD mark on tests for hepatitis B and C viruses, as well as cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus.
Sentinel Diagnostics partnered with Ortho Clinical Diagnostics last year for distribution and promotion of Sentinel's C-reactive protein assay. It also offers assay kits for malaria and Leishmaniasis on its website.