Lab21 to collaboratively develop Aspergillus molecular assay

Lab21 has announced plans to collaboratively develop a new molecular diagnostic assay for the detection of Aspergillus species.

The firm has signed an agreement with a prominent but unnamed diagnostics business to create, manufacture and distribute the product, which will be based on the partner organisation's real-time polymerase chain reaction platform.

Molecular diagnostic development resources will be contributed by Lab21, in addition to intellectual property pertaining to fungal diagnostics, in order to develop the test for use as an original equipment manufacturer reagent for the partner platform.

The new product will help to combat the trend of infections caused by Aspergillus, which places an estimated ten million people at risk annually.

Graham Mullis, chief executive officer of Lab21, said: "We are pleased to enter into a new agreement to develop this assay. The MycAssay Aspergillus test provides rapid, accurate clinical information that allows health professionals to make life-saving treatment decisions quickly."

Last month, the company announced the launch of a new clinical genomics centre within the Greenville Hospital System Memorial Medical Campus in South Carolina, a move that will greatly enhance Lab21's US operations.