Qiagen and Biotype Diagnostics to launch new joint venture

Qiagen has announced a new partnership with Biotype Diagnostics that will centre on the creation of a joint venture company called Biotype Innovation.

The new business will be dedicated to developing and commercialising molecular diagnostic workflows, initially for personalised healthcare applications based on Qiagen's proprietary ModaPlex platform.

These assays will help to expand the broad existing menu of the ModaPlex platform, especially in the market for companion diagnostics, which are used to guide drug treatments.

Qiagen will contribute technology and global commercialisation capabilities to the joint venture, while Biotype Diagnostics will contribute knowhow, assay development resources and access to its scientific network.

Peer Schatz, chief executive officer of Qiagen, 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."

The partnership will have its head office in Dresden and is expected to be fully operational by the third quarter of 2015.