Belgian molecular diagnostics firm Biocartis Group has built a new research and development (R&D) centre in the US as part of its strategy to advance the expansion of tests on its Idylla platform.
For the test expansion, Biocartis intends to form Companion Diagnostics (CDx) and assay content alliances. The firm has opened the facility following the transfer of R&D personnel and Idylla-related assay development assets and tests from Janssen Pharmaceuticals.
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The ten assay development experts joining from Janssen are said to be part of the same team that had developed the Idylla Respiratory (IFV-RSV) Panel cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration in the third quarter of last year.
Biocartis CEO Herman Verrelst, said: “This will help us scale our R&D organisation towards the future. Also, the close proximity to many of our pharmaceutical and test content partners in the US will facilitate an efficient execution of existing and new partnerships.
“The Janssen team has demonstrated to have excellent assay development capabilities on our Idylla platform.
“In addition, another important advantage is that we now have access to a US pool of R&D talent that we can also tap into for future recruitment needs in light of the business growth that we aim to realise.”
Under the agreement, Biocartis will work as a tenant on the planned assay development activities in the team’s current laboratory and office facilities in Raritan, New Jersey, US.
The firm’s division Biocartis US will also sign a two-year transitional lease for laboratory and office space from Janssen, and will gain laboratory equipment and ownership of the Idylla Respiratory (IFV-RSV) Panel.
This panel along with its regulatory authorisations will be transferred to the parent organisation.
