Biocartis, an innovative molecular diagnostics company and Fast-track diagnostics, a leading provider of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test kits for infectious disease, have entered into a strategic collaboration to develop a range of multiplex infectious disease tests to run on the Biocartis Idylla system.

Biocartis and Fast-track diagnostics plan to collaborate on a new approach to infectious disease diagnostics, “syndromic multiplex testing,” which enables the identification of a broader range of disease pathogens in a single test. Most current methods focus on the detection of one or a few pathogens expected to be present in a patient sample. If the sample is negative, a new test will be performed for other pathogens, increasing the time to result. With syndromic multiplex tests, the initial test will not just look for the most likely pathogen, but also for a range of less likely pathogens, preventing the need to retest.

As part of the collaboration, tests from Fast-track diagnostics’ comprehensive infectious disease menu will be developed for use on Biocartis’ innovative molecular diagnostics (MDx) platform, Idylla. Idylla is a fully-automated MDx system that delivers accurate, rapid tests in virtually any setting, from virtually any biological sample type, and without the need for pre-processing or specialist training.

The first assay to be developed under the collaboration is a multiplex respiratory panel for the detection of viral and bacterial targets in upper respiratory tract infections. Financial details of the agreement are not disclosed.

Erik Vossenaar, VP business development of Biocartis, commented: “In line with our strategy to rapidly expand our test menu, we are excited to be collaborating with Fast-track diagnostics to further enhance our position in infectious diseases. By combining Fast-track diagnostics’ expertise and compelling portfolio of multiplex PCR panels with the multiplex capabilities and unique features of our Idylla system, we have formed a powerful combination to create tests that can identify multiple disease driving pathogens from a patient sample.”

Bill Carman, chief executive officer of Fast-track diagnostics, commented: “Fast-track diagnostics is delighted to be collaborating with Biocartis. We are dedicated to developing high-quality, accurate multiplex PCR panels and look forward to working with the Biocartis team to develop a range of tests for the Idylla system.”

Biocartis is an innovative molecular diagnostics (MDx) company providing next generation diagnostic solutions aimed at improving clinical practice for the benefit of patients, clinicians, payers and industry.  
Fast-track diagnostics specializes in the design, development and manufacture of infectious disease detection kits that use real time PCR.