Siemens forms diagnostics alliances with ViiV Healthcare and Tocagen

Siemens has announced new alliances in the field of companion diagnostics with ViiV Healthcare and Tocagen.

Taking advantage of the clinical trial and commercialisation options within Siemens' clinical laboratory improvement amendments (CLIA) facilities, the alliances are intended to pave the way for diagnostic tests to accompany personalised therapies for serious illnesses.

ViiV Healthcare's partnership with Siemens will focus on clinical studies related to the HIV treatment Celsentri/Selzentry, while the Tocagen alliance will be centred on a therapy for primary brain cancer.

This will allow Siemens to capitalise on the rapid expansion of the companion diagnostics market, which is thought to be the fastest-growing segment in the in-vitro diagnostic industry.

Michael Reitermann, chief executive officer of Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, said: "Siemens' presence in the emerging companion diagnostics market enables us to leverage our innovation capabilities and deep clinical knowledge to help improve pharmaceutical drug safety and effectiveness."

Earlier this month, the company introduced a mycophenolic acid assay for its Dimension Integrated Chemistry Systems for the first time in the US.