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| Qiagen CEO Peer Schatz |
Qiagen ($QGEN) and Eli Lilly ($LLY) have clicked well enough in previous companion diagnostics development projects that they're signing up for a fourth go-around. In other words, their relationship is blossoming.
The Dutch diagnostics company disclosed it will work with Lilly again, this time to jointly develop companion diagnostics that can handle simultaneous analysis of DNA and RNA biomarkers for various types of cancer. Qiagen said its Modaplex analysis tech is to be part of their latest collaboration.
Qiagen CEO Peer Schatz said in a statement that he sees this latest deal as enhancing Lilly's development of new cancer drugs to the level of tailored therapies.
"We are excited to add a new stage to our successful collaboration with Lilly," Schatz said.
Previously, Qiagen developed its Therascreen KRAS companion diagnostic test designed to spot KRAS gene mutations in colorectal cancer patients. The diagnostic helps screen for patients who will benefit from Erbitux, a drug developed by Lilly and Bristol-Myers Squibb ($BMY). That test has had FDA approval since 2012. Qiagen also partnered with Lilly in 2011 to develop a companion diagnostic test that screens for a gene mutation involved in certain blood cancers. As well, the companies joined forces in 2013 to develop a diagnostic that would help shape the best use of an undisclosed Lilly cancer drug under development.
Beyond Lilly, Qiagen noted it is partnered with more than 20 pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies on companion diagnostics projects. Another one recently came to fruition. In late May, Qiagen won FDA approval to use its KRAS test to screen for metastatic colorectal cancer patients who could benefit most from Amgen's ($AMGN) drug Vectibix.
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