Siemens Healthcare Reaches Master Deal With Pfizer For Companion Diagnostics

(RTTNews) - German conglomerate Siemens AG (SI) said Monday that Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. has entered into a master collaboration agreement with Pfizer Inc. (PFE) to design, develop and commercialize diagnostic tests for therapeutic products across Pfizer's pipeline.

As per the agreement, Siemens will be one of Pfizer's collaboration partners to develop and provide in vitro diagnostic tests for use in clinical studies and, potentially, eventual global commercialization with Pfizer products.

Siemens stated that the partnership will leverage its worldwide leadership in providing clinical diagnostic solutions for hospital and reference laboratories, specialty laboratories and point-of-care settings (including clinics and physician offices) to help enable diagnostics development.

Siemens noted that Companion diagnostic tests are clinical tests linked to a specific drug or therapy intended to assist physicians in making more informed and personalized treatment decisions for their patients. When used in the drug development process, companion diagnostics may help pharmaceutical companies improve patient selection and treatment monitoring, determine the preferred therapy dosing for patients, and establish a protocol to help maximize the treatment benefit for patients.

The company stated that the Siemens Clinical Laboratory will develop the companion diagnostic tests under the master agreement.