Qiagen and Exosome announce new diagnostics alliance

Qiagen has allied with Exosome Diagnostics to create new tools to aid in the diagnosing and treatment of cancer.

The strategic partnership will involve the development of first-in-class, non-invasive molecular in-vitro diagnostics for use in the identification and monitoring of patients with lung and other cancers.

These novel blood-based diagnostics detect certain mutations of an undisclosed gene associated with non-small cell lung cancer and other malignancies. It also has the potential to be paired with several new anticancer therapeutics.

Peer Schatz, chief executive officer of Qiagen, said: "We look forward to our expanded collaboration with Exosome and to create solutions for healthcare and science which can improve lives."

The companies are already working on the creation of high-performance sample preparation kits for processing nucleic acids from biofluid exosomes, which are due to launch this year.

Earlier this month, the firm announced the European launch of its CE Mark-accredited Therascreen IDH1/2 RGQ Kit, for use in the assessment of patients with gliomas.