CRO

Qiagen links with Ares Genetics in push for new bioinformatics and assay solutions

Germany-based Qiagen is collaborating with Ares Genetics to develop new bioinformatics and assay solutions to speed research targeting antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Qiagen said it will use Ares’ antimicrobial resistance database, dubbed ARESdb, as well as bioinformatics tools and workflows from the ARES tech platform AREStools, in its products and services for researchers. As part of the deal, the company also gets nonexclusive global license to develop and commercialize molecular research assays using ARESdb content with Qiagen’s sequencing and polymerase chain region solutions.

With the help of AI, ARESdb is considered by the company to be the most comprehensive, global and continuously updated propriety knowledge base on genetic antibiotic resistance markers and their diagnostic relevance, Qiagen said.

Financial terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is blamed for an estimated 700,000 deaths per year, the company said, citing a study that said the number of that type of death will increase to 10 million a year by 2050 if indiscriminate use of antibiotics isn’t curtailed.

“This global problem cries out for molecular insights that can lead to new understanding and therapeutic approaches,” Jonathan Sheldon, a Qiagen SVP, said in a statement. “Qiagen will leverage the AMR database from Ares Genetics with its expertise in bioinformatics, assays and services, enabling the research community to accelerate the fight against AMR.”

In October, Qiagen launched three next-generation sequencing workflows for cancer research, expanding its clinical oncology footprint.