Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics has formed two new companion diagnostics partnerships with pharmaceutical companies ViiV Healthcare and Tocagen—marking a step for Siemens into the fast-growing segment of the in vitro diagnostics market.

Siemens' partnership with ViiV Healthcare will focus on clinical trials related to Celsentri/SelzentryR (maraviroc)—ViiV Healthcare's novel CCR5 co-receptor antagonist for the treatment of CCR5-tropic HIV—followed by potential commercialization of a diagnostics test to assist in patient selection prior to physician treatment decisions, subject to FDA approval.

The Siemens-Tocagen relationship will begin with diagnostic tests to support clinical trials related to Tocagen's unique viral gene therapy (Toca 511 & Toca FC) under investigation for the treatment of primary brain cancer, followed by potential commercialization of diagnostic tests for therapy monitoring, subject to FDA approval.

These partnerships reflect Siemens' efforts to expand its healthcare global presence by leveraging the power of in vivo and in vitro diagnostics to impact therapeutics—one goal of the recently launched Siemens Agenda 2013, a new two-year global initiative.