Siemens, Pfizer Team Up on Companion Assays

Siemens’ health care diagnostics division has struck a pact with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to develop diagnostic tests that would complement its products. The use of molecular and other esoteric tests to enable targeted medications or other forms of treatment has been gaining traction in the laboratory sector in recent years. One prominent example is the use of a thrombosis panel to determine a patient’s genetic predisposition toward blood clotting. The test can guide dosage for blood thinners and other drugs. A variety of molecular tests for cancer patients can also provide guidance for targeted forms of chemotherapy. The companion diagnostics market for cancer alone is projected to grow at an 18 percent annual rate through the end of the decade, approaching nearly $6 billion in sales worldwide, according to data from Transparency Market Research. “Companion diagnostics are an important enabler of targeted therapies for patients,” said John Hubbard, a Pfizer senior vice president and head of the company’s development operations. “This agreement with Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics is another example of Pfizer’s commitment to develop new precision medicines to address unmet clinical needs.” Financial details of the deal, which was dubbed a “master collaboration agreement,” were not disclosed. Takeaway: Companion diagnostics […]