Biocartis And Fast-Track Diagnostics Sign Strategic Collaboration In Infectious Diseases

Biocartis and Fast-track diagnostics aim to develop a range of multiplex tests on the Biocartis Idylla™ system each detecting a range of infectious disease pathogens

Mechelen, Belgium and Luxemburg, 27 May 2015 – Biocartis (Euronext Brussels: BCART), an innovative molecular diagnostics company and Fast-track diagnostics, a leading provider of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test kits for infectious disease, announced today that they have entered into a strategic collaboration to develop a range of multiplex infectious disease tests to run on the Biocartis Idylla™ system.

Biocartis and Fast-track diagnostics plan to collaborate on a new approach to infectious disease diagnostics, “syndromic multiplex testing,” which enables the identification of a broader range of disease pathogens in a single test. Most current methods focus on the detection of one or a few pathogens expected to be present in a patient sample. If the sample is negative, a new test will be performed for other pathogens, increasing the time to result. With syndromic multiplex tests, the initial test will not just look for the most likely pathogen, but also for a range of less likely pathogens, preventing the need to retest.

As part of the collaboration, tests from Fast-track diagnostics’ comprehensive infectious disease menu will be developed for use on Biocartis’ innovative molecular diagnostics (MDx) platform, Idylla™. Idylla™ is a fully-automated MDx system that delivers accurate, rapid tests in virtually any setting, from virtually any biological sample type, and without the need for pre-processing or specialist training.

The first assay to be developed under the collaboration is a multiplex respiratory panel for the detection of viral and bacterial targets in upper respiratory tract infections. Financial details of the agreement are not disclosed.

Erik Vossenaar, VP Business Development of Biocartis, commented: “In line with our strategy to rapidly expand our test menu, we are excited to be collaborating with Fast-track diagnostics to further enhance our position in infectious diseases. By combining Fast-track diagnostics’ expertise and compelling portfolio of multiplex PCR panels with the multiplex capabilities and unique features of our Idylla system, we have formed a powerful combination to create tests that can identify multiple disease driving pathogens from a patient sample.” Bill Carman, Chief Executive Officer of Fast-track diagnostics, commented: “Fast-track diagnostics is delighted to be collaborating with Biocartis. We are dedicated to developing high-quality, accurate multiplex PCR panels and look forward to working with the Biocartis team to develop a range of tests for the Idylla system.”

-Ends-

Biocartis
Rudi Pauwels, CEO
Erik Vossenaar, VP Business Development
+32 15 632 600 (Mechelen, Belgium)
press@biocartis.com

Consilium Strategic Communications
Amber Bielecka/Jessica Hodgson/Chris Welsh/Laura Thornton
+44 (0) 203 709 5701 (London, UK)
biocartis@consilium-comms.com

About Biocartis

Biocartis (Euronext Brussels: BCART) is an innovative molecular diagnostics (MDx) company providing next generation diagnostic solutions aimed at improving clinical practice for the benefit of patients, clinicians, payers and industry. Biocartis’ proprietary MDx Idylla™ platform is a fully automated, real-time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) system that offers accurate, highly reliable molecular information from virtually any biological sample in virtually any setting. Idylla™ addresses the growing demand for personalized medicine by allowing fast and effective treatment selection and treatment progress monitoring.

Biocartis launched the Idylla™ platform commercially in September 2014 together with its first assay to identify BRAF mutations in metastatic melanoma. Biocartis is developing and marketing a rapidly expanding test menu addressing key unmet clinical needs in oncology and infectious diseases. These areas represent respectively the fastest growing and largest segments of the MDx market worldwide.

Further information can be found at: www.biocartis.com

About Idylla™ (www.idylla.com)

Idylla™, Biocartis’ fully automated, real-time PCR based molecular diagnostics system, is designed to offer fast and easy access to clinical molecular diagnostic information, anywhere and anytime. The Idylla™ platform covers the entire process from sample to result in a time frame of 35 to 150 minutes with less than two minutes hands-on time. Idylla™ is applicable for a wide range of clinical sample types and can analyze both RNA and DNA. The fully integrated system enables clinical laboratories to perform a broad range of applications in oncology, infectious diseases and beyond. Idylla™ and the system’s first assay, the Idylla™ BRAF Mutation Test for metastatic melanoma, have obtained CE-IVD marking.

About Fast-track diagnostics (http://www.fast-trackdiagnostics.com/)

Fast-track diagnostics specializes in the design, development and manufacture of infectious disease detection kits that use real time PCR. Assays are validated on clinical samples and detect a comprehensive range of viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, and are in routine daily use in 100’s of laboratories worldwide. Fast-track diagnostics has a commitment to research and diagnostic laboratories in the emerging world and its kits are used by the GABRIEL network and for projects funded by the Wellcome Trust, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other international funders.

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