Pfizer and DxS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qiagen, have entered into an agreement to develop a companion diagnostic test kit for PF-04948568, an immunotherapy vaccine in development for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme.
Financial terms of the diagnostic agreement have not been disclosed. The EGFRvIII companion diagnostic will be developed and manufactured at Qiagen's Center of Excellence for Companion Diagnostics in Manchester, UK.
Pfizer said that the diagnostic will be a real-time PCR assay used to detect EGFRvIII RNA in tumor tissue. The assay is designed to offer a simple workflow, which supports its clinical utility in routine mutation testing.
Stephen Little, vice president of personalized healthcare for QIAGEN, said: “We are very pleased to have signed this agreement with Pfizer, as it is another important step toward the realization of personalized medicine.
“Qiagen is aligned to deliver companion diagnostics to our pharmaceutical partners and this deal is further evidence of our commitment to develop our scientific and operational capabilities to help select the right patient for the right medicine.”
Garry Nicholson, president and general manager of oncology business unit at Pfizer, said: “We look forward to collaborating with Qiagen's DxS unit in the development of this important diagnostic tool that could potentially help physicians better define the most appropriate treatment for patients who suffer from glioblastoma multiforme.”
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