Advanced Cell Diagnostics has scored a major deal to expand the reach of its molecular pathology RNA biomarker test tech around the world.
In a boon for the California company, Life Technologies ($LIFE) has agreed to sell Advanced Cell Diagnostics' RNAscope series of probes and diagnostic kits to researchers through its global distribution network. Neither side is disclosing financial terms of the deal. But it amounts to what is basically market synergy.
"RNAscope complements our existing portfolio and solves long-standing technical hurdles," Siddhartha Kadia, Life Technologies' president of life sciences, said in a statement.
Advanced Cell Diagnostics bills RNAscope as an advance over existing RNA biomarker tests. Its in situ hybridization technology can both detect and quantify RNA biomarkers at single molecule sensitivity. And the company says it can turn around a new assay in about three weeks.
Almost a year ago, Advanced Cell Diagnostics reeled in a $12 million Series B round of financing designed to help it launch RNAscope tests into the clinical diagnostics and life sciences research markets. The company has also signed development deals with companies including Definiens and Roche's ($RHHBY) Ventana.
Life Technologies, meanwhile, is waiting to be snatched up by Thermo Fisher ($TMO) in a $13.6 billion deal announced earlier this year. Life has continued to forge companion diagnostic development deals with partners such as Merck Serono.
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