Collaboration announced for development of companion diagnostics

Dako enters agreement with Merck to develop companion diagnostics for their pipeline oncology drugs.
 

Dako, part of Agilent Technologies since 2012, has recently announced a collaboration with pharmaceutical company Merck. Dako will apply their expertise in diagnostics to develop companion diagnostic tests for anticancer drugs in Merck’s pipeline.

Dako announced the collaboration, which falls under a ‘master framework agreement’, in a recent press release. Jacob Thaysen, vice president and general manager for Agilent’s Diagnostics and Genomics business, commented on the announcement, “Dako is relentless in its commitment to fighting cancer, together with our customers and pharma partners. With Dako’s wide experience in companion diagnostics and its expanded playing field as part of Agilent’s Life Sciences and Diagnostics Group, I see great potential in this new agreement. I warmly welcome Merck as our new partner.”

Dako focuses on developing tissue-based cancer diagnostics. In particular, the company has agreements with various pharmaceutical companies to provide companion diagnostic tests. Such long-term agreements include companies such as Bristol-Myers Squibb and Genentech; with collaborations more recently with Eli Lilly and Pfizer.

Source: Dako to collaborate with Merck on development of companion diagnostics for cancer treatment.