NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Fluidigm said after the close of the market on Thursday that it has formed a strategic partnership with Ascendas Genomics to develop molecular diagnostics in China.
Under the agreement, Ascendas will develop and commercialize molecular diagnostic systems and assays using microfluidic technologies included in Fluidigm's Biomark HD and Juno systems.
Fluidigm's platforms enable scalable and automated workflows for quantitative PCR, gene expression, copy number variation analysis, and next-generation sequencing library preparation.
Ascendas develops and offers immunodiagnostic and molecular diagnostic tests to hospitals and health care centers through its subsidiary company, Ruikang Diagnostics, a commercial reference lab. It said that its particular focus is on the development and application of genetic diagnosis-related products in newborn screening and oncology.
"We strongly believe our partnership with Fluidigm will make it possible to develop cost-effective and robust genetic diagnostic tests for more patients in China," Chengyong Yang, chairman and CEO of Ascendas Genomics, said in a statement.
"Ascendas Genomics is an innovative molecular diagnostic company with experience in developing high-performing assays," Fluidigm President and CEO Chris Linthwaite said in a statement. "With this partnership, we are excited to bring the scalable efficiencies of Fluidigm's microfluidic technologies together with Ascendas Genomics' expertise to further advance precision medicine in China."