BD and Diagenode to develop new BD Max assays

BD has signed an agreement with fellow diagnostics firm Diagenode that will expand the range of assays available for use with the BD Max molecular testing system.

The alliance will involve the co-creation of seven initial molecular diagnostic assays for pathogens associated with respiratory, enteric and central nervous system diseases, using Diagenode's open system capability.

BD Diagnostics will then be responsible for integrating these in vitro diagnostic assays on the BD Max platform, as well as manufacturing and commercialising them worldwide.

This forms part of the company's plans to broaden the range of disease categories for which BD Max can be used as a means of analysis.

Tom Polen, president of diagnostic systems at BD Diagnostics, said this will ultimately make the device "an indispensible clinical laboratory tool that empowers laboratory professionals to provide rapid, accurate test results to clinicians needing the best information to make critical treatment decisions".

Last month, the company reported a 6.8 percent year-on-year growth in the most recent fiscal quarter, thanks to improved sales for its medical, diagnostics and bioscience business units.