Belgium-based molecular diagnostics firm Biocartis Group has partnered with UK-based medical research charity organisation MRC Technology (MRCT) to develop a new liquid biopsy test for breast cancer.
The test is part of a new agreement between the firms, under which they intend to jointly develop select molecular diagnostic tests that can be used on Biocartis’ fully automated Idylla platform.
MRCT will act as a development contractor for each selected test, and Biocartis will commercialise them under its label.
Biocartis R&D and Alliance Management head Erwin Sablon said: “Building partnerships with third parties to accelerate the expansion of our menu of molecular diagnostic tests is a key element in our strategy.
“MRCT has an experienced team in place and we are confident that together we can successfully develop a range of high-quality tests for the Idylla platform, beginning with this first test for breast cancer.”
The liquid biopsy test is the first diagnostic product under the collaboration and will be designed to monitor resistance to hormone therapy in metastatic breast cancer patients.
MRCT Diagnostics and Science Foresight director Michael Dalrymple said: “We believe [the test] can impact the way molecular diagnostics for oncology is done today.”
Biocartis liquid biopsy portfolio currently includes three assays for melanoma and colorectal cancer detection, with a fourth assay for lung cancer set to launch in the coming months.
Image: Biocartis’ Idylla platform. Photo: courtesy of Biocartis NV.
