Qiagen and Lilly to develop new diagnostic device
9 September 2011 00:00 in Scientific Company News
Qiagen has entered into partnership with Lilly on the development of a molecular diagnostic test for a new cancer therapy.
The agreement will see Qiagen creating a companion diagnostic testing system to identify patients who may be able to benefit from Lilly's investigational JAK2 inhibitor compound, which is designed as a treatment for blood cancers.
It will utilise JAK2 biomarker technology acquired through its takeover of Ipsogen, a process that began in June 2011 and is yet to be completed, with this particular pathway thought to be of high potential value to future drug development.
Lilly will co-develop this companion diagnostic, while Qiagen is also hoping to be able to utilise the JAK2 biomarker in tandem with other future compounds targeting this gene.
Dr Stephen Little, vice-president for personalised healthcare at Qiagen, said: "We look forward to developing the potential for this innovative diagnostic-therapeutic combination to improve the standard of care for patients suffering from these blood cancers."
This comes after the firm announced that it will also be creating a diagnostic tool for a new Pfizer lung cancer drug last month.

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