Siemens agrees sequencing partnership with Illumina

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics has announced a new collaboration with Illumina that aims to deliver a higher standard of next-generation sequencing capabilities.

The alliance will see Siemens make its existing molecular HIV tests compatible with the recently launched Illumina MiSeq sequencing platform, which will facilitate the development of breakthrough sequencing-based infectious disease assays.

This could be hugely beneficial to the development of the clinical diagnostics market, as it will aid the rapid and accurate identification of infectious disease states and potential treatment paths.

Moreover, both companies will see numerous business advantages due to the improved opportunities this will provide them in the growing next-generation sequencing market.

Michael Reitermann, chief executive officer of Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, said: "Our partnership with Illumina brings together two innovation leaders to set a new standard of care in the next wave of clinical diagnostics and personalised medicine."

Last month, Siemens expanded its product range with the launch of the Siemens Tissue Preparation Solution, a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sample preparation system.