NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – French biotechnology firm Firalis has signed a non-exclusive agreement to obtain HTG Molecular Diagnostics' technology and components to support its commercialization of a next-generation sequencing-based rheumatoid arthritis (RA) theranostic assay.
Called BIOPRED — short for biomarker assay to predict treatment response — Firalis' assay is designed to predict how RA patients will respond to anti‑TNF-alpha therapy. In 2016, the companies partnered to adapt the assay for use on HTG's EdgeSeq platform.
Under the newest deal, HTG will supply assay components to Firalis, which will manufacture, obtain applicable regulatory approvals for, and sell the BIOPRED assay as kits and Firalis-based services for research and diagnostic applications worldwide. All kits and services will be automated on EdgeSeq systems purchased directly from HTG by end users.
Additional terms were not disclosed.
"Firalis was one of the first adopters of the HTG EdgeSeq system in Europe, and we are pleased to support them in the next steps in this personalized medicine initiative," HTG CEO TJ Johnson said in a statement. "Strategic supply and non‑exclusive technology out‑licensing is another way to further our business objectives of market recognition and expansion and revenue growth."