Qiagen and Lilly to develop new diagnostic device

Qiagen has entered into partnership with Lilly on the development of a molecular diagnostic test for a new cancer therapy.

The agreement will see Qiagen creating a companion diagnostic testing system to identify patients who may be able to benefit from Lilly's investigational JAK2 inhibitor compound, which is designed as a treatment for blood cancers.

It will utilise JAK2 biomarker technology acquired through its takeover of Ipsogen, a process that began in June 2011 and is yet to be completed, with this particular pathway thought to be of high potential value to future drug development.

Lilly will co-develop this companion diagnostic, while Qiagen is also hoping to be able to utilise the JAK2 biomarker in tandem with other future compounds targeting this gene.

Dr Stephen Little, vice-president for personalised healthcare at Qiagen, said: "We look forward to developing the potential for this innovative diagnostic-therapeutic combination to improve the standard of care for patients suffering from these blood cancers."

This comes after the firm announced that it will also be creating a diagnostic tool for a new Pfizer lung cancer drug last month.