Bayer HealthCare and Sysmex Inostics to create cancer diagnostic tests

Bayer HealthCare is allying with diagnostic company Sysmex Inostics on the creation of companion diagnostics for targeted cancer therapies.

Innovative blood-based companion diagnostic solutions from Sysmex Inostics will be used to complement anti-cancer agents developed by Bayer HealthCare, in order to help identify patients who would be most likely to benefit from the use of the drugs.

The partnership also provides a framework for further collaboration projects to develop molecular blood-based diagnostic tests in support of additional targeted oncology therapies.

Sysmex Inostics' tests are based on its BEAMing technology, which analyse tumour DNA in the bloodstream, meaning they are non-invasive and can be performed on patients where no tumour tissue is available.

Professor Andreas Busch, head of global drug discovery and member of the executive committee of Bayer HealthCare, said: "With this collaboration, we continue to strengthen our engagement in the field of personalised medicine with the aim of developing innovative therapies for cancer patients."

Last month, Bayer received a recommendation from Europe's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use for approval of radium Ra 223 dichloride, a new therapy for a serious form of prostate cancer.