Qiagen to Launch TB Test in China

Qiagen, a provider of sample and assay technologies for molecular diagnostics, applied testing, academic and pharmaceutical research, has earned Chinese regulatory approval for its next-generation tuberculosis (TB) test. The company expects to formally launch the diagnostic test, called the Quantiferon-TB Gold blood test, early next year.

According to GenomeWeb, China’s pool of patients that need TB testing is large—the world’s second biggest market for active TB.

Also this month, Qiagen signed an agreement with Eli Lilly and Company, an Indianapolis, Ind.-based pharmaceutical company, to develop and commercialize a molecular companion diagnostic paired with Eli Lilly’s oncology compound. This is the third co-development project by Qiagen and Eli Lilly to create companion diagnostics, which are tests that analyze genomic information in patient samples to enable personalized decisions on treatments. The latest collaboration, involving an undisclosed Lilly compound and an undisclosed molecular diagnostic target, builds on a master collaboration agreement for development of tailored therapies in cancer and other therapeutic areas signed earlier this year.

Qiagen is headquartered in The Netherlands.