CAP TODAY Pathology/Laboratory Medicine/Laboratory Management
February 2018—Qiagen and DiaSorin announced a partnership in which Qiagen’s QuantiFeron-TB diagnostic test will be added to the menu of DiaSorin’s Liaison family of analyzers, enabling customers of both companies to process QuantiFeron-TB Gold Plus, a fourth-generation assay for latent tuberculosis detection, on Liaison platforms. QFT-Plus is the first assay from the QuantiFeron portfolio that is planned to be adapted for use on the Liaison systems, with additional assays under consideration.
QuantiFeron assays are based on two components: QuantiFeron Blood Collection Tubes, which contain key components of the test reaction, which is performed in tube after blood collection, and the QuantiFeron test read-out components, which are used to measure the release of interferon gamma after in-tube incubation. The companies will develop a fully automated version of the QuantiFeron test read-out components that can be used with the QFT-Plus test as well as with future tests.
A CE-marked version of the new read-out components for use on the Liaison XL is expected in the third quarter of 2018; availability in the U.S. is planned for 2019 and in China for 2020. Once the read-out product is launched, customers will be able to purchase from Qiagen the QuantiFeron Blood Collection Tube kit for use on Liaison family systems. DiaSorin will be responsible for the development and commercialization of the read-out test components.
“This collaboration creates the opportunity to add unique and differentiating content to the broad assay menu of our flexible, efficient Liaison analyzers. We believe that we will be able to further improve this opportunity with the launch of our new future platform, Liaison XS, creating an intriguing solution for mid-sized laboratories, both in Europe and the U.S. as well as China,” Carlo Rosa, Diasorin Group’s chief executive officer, said in a statement.
“A large percentage of potential and existing QuantiFeron-TB customers are already Liaison customers, and adding our tests to this broad menu will offer significant benefits for laboratory automation and efficiency. QuantiFeron customers will benefit from a best-in-class, random access, continuous loading and fully automated workflow with QuantiFeron assays embedded in a full menu of assays. Diagnostic labs place a high value on unique content, a full menu, and excellent automation. Together, we can drive faster conversion of latent TB testing—estimated at more than 65 million tests annually—and improve the lives of people around the world at risk for this potentially fatal disease,” said Peer M. Schatz, CEO of Qiagen.
This partnership comes amid accelerating conversion of the worldwide latent TB testing market to the modern blood-based QuantiFeron test. An estimated 40 million QFT-Plus tests have been conducted since its initial launch. More than 7,000 Liaison systems are in place worldwide, primarily in hospital laboratories.
Qiagen, 800-426-8157
DiaSorin, +39 0161 487.1