Roche's ($RHHBY) Ventana Medical Systems is linking up with Arizona State University (ASU) to launch a diagnostics-focused master's degree professional program at the school.
ASU announced that it is now taking applications for its international Master of Science in Biomedical Diagnostics degree, with classes starting this fall. The MS program lasts one year and requires 30 credits through classes at both ASU and Dublin City University. Teaching will focus on diagnostics-related technology, science, and business/legal issues such as reimbursement and regulation, according to the ASU website. An ideal student would be a working professional looking to beef up his or her biomedical diagnostics credentials. Classes will be offered online, and eligible students must have a bachelor's or master's degree with a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA from an accredited college or university, ASU said.
Roche/Ventana, a leader in molecular and companion diagnostics development, has helped shape the program along with Dublin City University, according to ASU.
ASU said it envisions students using their new knowledge in their existing jobs, or leveraging their degrees for new positions including product development heads, laboratory directors, regulatory and policy executives and medical technology sales managers. Current expertise is a necessity for the industry, as it rapidly adapts to trends such as soaring demand for more molecular diagnostics tests and the increased reliance on companion diagnostic tests in the development of new drugs. Diagnostics companies must also navigate an increasingly complex regulatory approval process and secure public and private insurance reimbursement, or their promising new tests end up with limited potential in the marketplace.
ASU is pitching the fact that "expert faculty" from its own operations as well as Dublin City University will be teaching the classes. As well, the program will rely on resources such as the National Biomarker Development Alliance, which ASU leads.
Roche/Ventana has long focused on partnerships in its push to develop companion diagnostics tests, generally for new cancer treatments. Deals are in place with companies including Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer, Pfizer ($PFE), Takeda's Millennium unit, Denmark's Genmab, MedImmune and more. Its work with ASU to develop a biomedical diagnostics Master of Science program is a partnership of a different sort, one that will theoretically help fuel the test development projects, creating a way to prepare execs and sales experts for the rapidly changing and growing world of diagnostics, and what the industry needs to ensure success.
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