BioMerieux to develop companion test for breast cancer drug

BioMerieux has announced an agreement with Ipsen whereby it will develop a companion test for a breast cancer drug that is currently being evaluated by Ipsen.

An examination will be developed by bioMerieux to complement Ipsen’s BN 83495 drug – the assay will ascertain which patients are most suitable to undergo new inhibitor treatments.

Presently in phase I of clinical development, Ipsen’s BN 83495 therapy is designed to block the steroid sulfatase enzyme found in hormone-dependent breast cancer in post menopausal women, according to the company.

The test will use bioMerieux’s Nasba amplification technology and will be developed on the firm’s NucliSENS EasyQ molecular diagnostics platform.

Chief executive of bioMerieux Stephane Bancel commented: “By teaming our expertise with that of biopharmaceutical companies, bioMerieux’s goal is to contribute towards making the best medicine available to the right patients, while optimising health costs.”

It was recently reported that bioMerieux acquired Australian firm BTF.