MDxHealth SA, a multinational healthcare company,  has granted a non-exclusive worldwide license for its patented methylation-specific PCR (MSP) technology to Qiagen for use in its new CE-marked QIAsure assay to determine cervical cancer risk.

Qiagen is a provider of sample and assay technologies for molecular diagnostics, applied testing, academic and pharmaceutical research.

Under the terms of the agreement, Qiagen has licensed the use of MDxHealth's MSP technology, a proprietary DNA-methylation specific PCR methodology, for the development and commercialization of its new diagnostic test which differentiates patients' risk of developing cervical cancer. MDxHealth will receive a signing fee plus royalties from future test sales utilizing this technology.

Qiagen reported that the QIAsure test is a highly complementary addition to its leading human papilloma virus (HPV) franchise. Women screening positive for HPV, or with abnormal cells identified by cytology, are at increased risk of developing cervical cancer. The QIAsure test is the next logical step to assess this risk.

"We are pleased that our Methylation technology can further support Qiagen's efforts to improve women's health," stated Dr. Jan Groen, CEO of MDxHealth. "Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, with an estimated 528,000 new cases diagnosed and 266,000 deaths each year, so clearly this is an important test."