Qiagen announced plans for global launches of tuberculosis and molecular diagnostic tests developed with two separate companies.
First, Qiagen entered into an agreement to absorb Ann Arbor, Michigan-based NeuMoDx Molecular, with plans to commercialize its fully integrated systems for automating PCR testing in diagnostic laboratories.
Under the deal, Qiagen can acquire all outstanding NeuMoDx shares for about $234 million, with Qiagen previously owning about 20% of the company, subject to certain regulatory and operational milestones.
Qiagen will initially distribute NeuMoDx’s high- and mid-throughput systems in Europe and other global markets, starting with CE marked assays for group B Streptococcus as well as chlamydia and gonorrhea infections, and additional assays in the coming months.
Meanwhile, NeuMoDx will handle sales within the U.S., and the two companies also plan to collaborate on adding certain Qiagen chemistries to the NeuMoDx systems.
NeuMoDx’s approach, of performing each step from sample extraction through detection and reporting, “brings the simplicity of established clinical chemistry automation to molecular diagnostics along with rapid turnaround time in about 40 minutes and promises massive sample processing capacity and a broad menu of tests,” Qiagen CEO Peer Schatz said in a statement.
“Together with QIAsymphony, QIAstat-Dx and GeneReader, the addition of NeuMoDx will enable Qiagen to offer complementary systems that create an unparalleled portfolio of platforms for molecular diagnostics labs worldwide—addressing all key segments,” Schatz added. “We are determined to expand on our leadership position by offering solutions for use in every molecular diagnostics laboratory worldwide.”
In addition, Qiagen plans to offer automated TB testing systems in collaboration with DiaSorin.
The recently CE-marked workflow allows for Qiagen’s QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus Blood Collection Tubes for detecting latent infections to be used with DiaSorin’s LIAISON immunodiagnostic instruments. The two companies plant to make the system available in the U.S. in 2019 and in China in 2020.
The QuantiFERON technology is the first to emerge from a partnership with the Saluggia, Italy-based DiaSorin launched in 2017. Additional tests to detect asymptomatic infections are planned to be adapted to the LIAISON platforms.
“LIAISON users will benefit from adding our unique latent TB test to their laboratory menus and will thereby be able to provide highly accurate screening and novel diagnostic insights,” said Thierry Bernard, senior VP and head of molecular diagnostics at Qiagen. “QuantiFERON-TB customers will benefit from LIAISON’s best-in-class, random access, continuous loading and automated workflow. We look forward to working closely with our partners at DiaSorin.”
In addition, Qiagen recently signed a collaboration agreement with Hamilton Robotics to improve upon the test’s automation by integrating Hamilton’s Microlab STAR automated liquid handling workstation, the company said.