Amersham and the Diagnostics Division of Bayer HealthCare LLC, a member of the Bayer Group announced they have entered into an exclusive worldwide agreement for joint development of assays and instrumentation in the field of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) sequencing as well as sequencing of other important infectious disease-causing pathogens. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Under the terms of the agreement, Amersham will supply a modified version of its existing MegaBACE gene sequencer instruments and Bayer will develop sequencing assay applications for this MegaBACE sequencer. In addition, Bayer will purchase Amersham's reagents, notably its four color dyes and proprietary enzymes as well as other consumables, for current and future assays. Both companies intend to seek regulatory approval from the FDA for the MegaBACE instrumentation and disease-specific assays.

"The availability of rapid genotypic analysis of HIV through DNA sequencing will increase the use of HIV-1 diagnostic assays in understanding resistance profiles and transmission patterns in the clinical management of patients," said Andrew Carr, president, Discovery Systems, Amersham Biosciences. "Our agreement with Bayer also enables Amersham to transition our key DNA sequencing instrumentation and reagents from their significant role in the sequencing of the human genome to the diagnosis of infectious disease types and clinical interpretation of infection."

"This agreement with Amersham allows Bayer to broaden its genotyping portfolio and its comprehensive line of diagnostic products designed to aid in the treatment and monitoring of people living with HIV disease and AIDS," said Peter Knueppel, senior vice president, Nucleic Acid Diagnostics Business Segment, Bayer Diagnostics. "Bayer and Amersham's complementary expertise will facilitate the development of innovative Trugene assays on the Amersham high-throughput sequencer to provide wide access to personalized medicine."