BD and UCL to collaborate on cancer diagnostics development

BD has entered into partnership with University College London (UCL) on an initiative to aid the development of new tests for ovarian and breast cancer biomarkers.

The agreement will grant the medical device manufacturer with access to the university's biobanks, which contain more than 200,000 human patient samples taken during ovarian cancer trials.

These samples will be used by BD to validate a variety of new biomarker assays that will allow the diseases to be detected earlier, thereby facilitating more effective treatments.

Wayne Brinster, vice-president and general manager for women's health and cancer at BD Diagnostics, said "very few" institutions other than UCL possess a comprehensive enough selection of samples to properly validate tests.

"The key to defeating ovarian and breast cancers is detecting the diseases early and managing them effectively. This hinges on diagnostic tests that provide clinicians with timely and accurate information," he added.

Earlier this month, BD announced plans to acquire Accuri Cytometers, a manufacturer of compact flow cytometry devices.