PrimeraDx, a molecular diagnostics company, has formed a non-exclusive diagnostics co-development agreement with Quest Diagnostics, a diagnostics information services company. The intent of the collaboration is to co-develop and commercialize molecular diagnostic products and services with a focus on supporting clinical development of targeted therapeutics for drug developers.

Quest Diagnostics will have the right to use the PrimeraDx ICEPlex Platform to independently develop and use laboratory tests in early-phase biomarker and drug development studies and clinical trials with biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device clients of Quest Diagnostics Clinical Trials, a business of Quest Diagnostics. In turn, PrimeraDx will have rights to develop and market in vitro diagnostic products, assuming FDA approvals for those targeted therapies. In addition, Quest Diagnostics has rights to validate and offer clinical diagnostic information services, based in part on the assays created during drug development, as aids in making treatment decisions for those drugs that are successfully commercialized and FDA approved for clinical use. 

PrimeraDx launched the ICEPlex system in August 2011. The system can simultaneously detect and quantify disparate target types, such as mRNA, miRNA, SNPs, DNA mutations, fusions and DNA methylation. Its ability to characterize complex molecular changes makes it well suited to research and development for diseases, such as cancer, that involve systemic or multiple molecular changes. 

The companies expect to direct their initial collaborations on cancer, although they may also explore opportunities in infectious diseases, genetics and other conditions.

"This collaboration with Quest Diagnostics will enable pharmaceutical and other companies to access the unique capabilities of the PrimeraDx technology in the form of targeted diagnostic services and products," said Matt McManus, MD, PhD., president and CEO of PrimeraDx. "Quest Diagnostics' remarkable strength in clinical diagnostics makes them a superb partner to maximize the value of the ICEPlex system for biomarker, drug and diagnostic development. We look forward to working with them and their clinical trials clients to hasten the discovery and development of drugs and companion diagnostics that can improve outcomes for patients with cancer and other diseases."