Thermo Fisher Scientific acquires PeproTech for $1.85bn

6 January | Deal

Thermo Fisher Scientific has completed the acquisition of PeproTech for a total cash consideration of approximately $1.85bn.

US-based PeproTech develops bioscience reagents known as recombinant proteins, which include growth factors and cytokines. These reagents are used in the development and manufacturing of cell and gene therapies as well as in wide cell culture applications, which are mainly models related to cellular research.

Thermo Fisher said the recombinant proteins portfolio of PeproTech complements its cell culture media products and that the transaction increases its capabilities to serve the cell and gene therapy market.

Following the acquisition, PeproTech will be integrated into the Life Sciences Solutions Segment to become part of Thermo Fisher’s biosciences business.

6 January | Deal

SOMALOGIC PARTNERS WITH ILLUMINA TO DEVELOP PROTEOMIC SOLUTIONS

SomaLogic has collaborated with Illumina to co-develop next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based proteomic solutions.

Under the multi-year partnership deal, the companies will bring genomics and proteomics technology platforms together to enable proteomics and multi-omics research across the world.

Illumina will be responsible for the development and deployment of NGS-based protein identification and measurement tools in laboratories globally.

The company will also enable the use and development of high-plex protein pattern recognition tests.

5 January | Deal

GE, BOSTON SCIENTIFIC TO OFFER CARDIAC CARE SOLUTIONS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

GE Healthcare has teamed up with Boston Scientific to offer an end-to-end interventional cardiac care portfolio in Southeast Asia.

As part of the collaboration, the companies will offer a full spectrum of new solutions, which will range from diagnostic to percutaneous coronary intervention.

Boston Scientific’s medical devices and capabilities will be combined with GE Healthcare’s medical imaging systems, providing support from diagnosis to treatment as well as for monitoring the cardiac patient-care pathway.

6 January | Diagnostics

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD RESEARCHERS DEVELOP NEW BLOOD TEST TO DETECT CANCER

Researchers at the University of Oxford in the UK have developed a new type of blood test, which can be used to identify various cancers.

The minimally invasive and inexpensive new blood test can also detect whether the cancers have metastasised in the body as well as identify the disease in patients with non-specific symptoms.

Published in Clinical Cancer Research, the study analysed samples obtained from 300 patients with non-specific but potentially worrying cancer symptoms, such as weight loss and fatigue.

Findings showed that cancer was accurately detected in 19 out of every 20 patients. The test also identified metastatic disease with an overall accuracy of 94%.

The test uses nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics technique, which can identify biomarkers called metabolites in the blood.

4 January | Treatment

UIC RESEARCHERS FIND NEW BIOMARKER TO TRACK ANTIDEPRESSANT RESPONSE

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) in the US have identified a biomarker to track depression and antidepressant response.

Found in human platelets, the biomarker can be identified with the help of a blood test and used to track the extent of depression.

The blood test can help to determine the efficacy of antidepressant therapies in individual patients.

UIC stated that the research is developed from previous studies that show depression is consistent with decreased levels of adenylyl cyclase, a small molecule within the cell. Adenylyl cyclase is made in response to epinephrine and serotonin neurotransmitters.

4 January | Regulatoin

AUSTRALIAN REGULATOR TO REVIEW COVID-19 ANTIGEN TEST PRICES

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced a review of Covid-19 rapid antigen test prices and is contacting suppliers to check price levels in the market.

Pricing information obtained from retailers, suppliers and the public will be analysed by the ACCC to determine any possible misconduct.

The ACCC is seeking information regarding the current pricing of rapid antigen tests for Covid-19, the amounts on order, current stock levels and expectations of when additional tests will be available to consumers. It will also examine claims that the existing pricing levels of antigen tests are due to challenges in securing them.

24 December | Deal

QUIDEL TO BUY ORTHO CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS FOR $6BN

Quidel has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ortho Clinical Diagnostics for an equity value of about $6bn.

The company will pay $24.68 per Ortho’s share of common stock, including $1.75bn in cash.

Ortho provides technology and tools to hospital networks, clinical laboratories and blood banks globally to ensure quick, accurate, and reliable test results.

The deal will combine the technologies and platforms of both companies to provide expanded access to immunohematology, immunoassay, clinical chemistry, molecular diagnostics, point-of-care diagnostics offerings and donor screening.

24 December | Deal

LABCORP TO ACQUIRE PERSONAL GENOME DIAGNOSTICS

Labcorp has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Personal Genome Diagnostics (PGDx) in a deal valued at $575m.

The company will make a $450m cash payment, along with $125m in additional payment based on future performance milestones.

PGDx provides comprehensive liquid biopsy and tissue-based genomic products and services.

Labcorp stated that the acquisition will expand its next-generation sequencing-based genomic profiling capabilities and accelerate the existing liquid biopsy capabilities with the addition of PGDx and its technology complements.

In brief

WERFEN SECURES 510(K) CLEARANCE FROM US FDA FOR BLOOD HEMOSTASIS SYSTEM


Werfen has obtained 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its GEM Hemochron 100 whole blood hemostasis testing system. The system uses Hemochron technology and provides activated clotting time results in minutes. It is intended to help improve workflow and patient management decisions.

SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS GETS FDA EUA FOR COVID-19 ANTIGEN SELF-TEST


The FDA has granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to Siemens Healthineers for CLINITEST rapid Covid-19 antigen self-test. The receipt of EUA will enable Siemens Healthineers to make the at-home or over-the-counter self-test available nationwide from January. Claimed to be easy to use, this nasal swab test helps in the quick detection of SARS-CoV-2 and offers test results in 15 minutes.

LUMIRADX OBTAINS CE MARK FOR SARS-COV-2 & FLU A/B ANTIGEN TEST


LumiraDx has obtained CE Marking for its point-of-care assay, SARS-CoV-2 & flu A/B antigen test. The microfluidic immunofluorescence assay is designed for the detection and differentiation of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, and influenza B viral antigen simultaneously. It uses nasal swab samples and provides results within 12 minutes.