Life Technologies and Bristol-Myers Squibb inked a Master Development Agreement centered on the development of companion diagnostics utilizing Life’s platforms. Under terms of the deal the firms will initially focus on the development of an oncology diagnostic, but the agreement provides for a long-term partnership across a potentially broad range of Life’s instrument platforms and therapeutic areas.
Life says the partnership, which is its second with BMS, aligns with a strategy to develop its diagnostics business through internal development, partnership, and selected acquisitions. “The pharmaceutical industry is increasingly turning its focus to discovering and delivering targeted, personalized medications,” comments Ronnie Andrews, president of medical sciences. “As more and more targeted drugs come onto the market in the next decade there will be a growing need for diagnostics that can help predict which patients will benefit from which drugs. Life is uniquely positioned to provide pharma a flexible, cost-effective means to manage the evolution of the companion diagnostic assay through the drug development process.”
