Novartis and Gen Probe extend collaboration to 2025

Novartis and Gen-Probe have said they are to “extend and expand” their blood screening collaboration to 2025.

The partnership – established in 1998 – was previously scheduled to expire in 2013 and has seen Gen-Probe take responsibility for manufacturing costs and Novartis overseeing commercial expenses.

Both organisations share revenue from sales and any research and development fees.

Commenting on the extension, global head of diagnostics at Novartis’ vaccines and diagnostics subsidiary Peter Maag said he was “very pleased”.

He continued: “Nucleic acid testing is an important tool to safeguard the world’s blood supply against harmful pathogens.

Adding the renewal “provides a solid foundation”, Mr Maag noted it enables expansion into the transfusion medicine market.

Last month, two separate studies revealed Novartis’ Tasigna rapidly eliminates cancer cells in 96 per cent of newly diagnosed patients.

The drug was also found to reduce the development of abnormal chronic myeloid leukemia protein by six months.