US-based firm Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) and Italian diagnostic products maker Euroclone Diagnostica have entered an agreement for the development and global distribution of molecular tests to detect emerging sexually transmitted pathogens.

The molecular tests are expected to improve the potential for an accurate diagnosis and treatment in the presence or absence of symptoms.

In addition to supporting clinical laboratories for antimicrobial stewardship, the assays will help institutions to comply with European guidelines for sexually transmitted infections (STI) screening.

The new assays will run on the fully automated BD MAX System to detect infectious genital mycoplasmas such as Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma species that are difficult to diagnose using standard methods.

Lack of proper diagnosis and treatment of such infections are reported to result in immediate and long-term health consequences, including infertility and heightened HIV susceptibility.

"The new tests will be able to detect resistance markers of common drug therapies and allow prescription of a required course of antibiotic therapy."

The new tests will be able to detect resistance markers of common drug therapies and allow prescription of a required course of antibiotic therapy.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

BD Women’s Health and Molecular Diagnostics vice-president Doug White said: “BD and Euroclone share a passion for reducing the risks associated with undiagnosed STIs, as well as the burden of symptoms that impact the lives of many worldwide.”

The new molecular assays will expand the firm’s current BD MAX portfolio, which includes the BD SurePath liquid-based Pap test and BD Onclarity HPV assay for identification of 14 high-risk HPV genotypes.

The firms intend to initiate commercialisation of the tests outside of the US next year, with plans to later expand the launch to the US.