Qiagen and Abbott Enter Into Molecular Tests Agreement

Qiagen and Abbott have entered into an agreement that significantly strengthens both companies’ testing menus for automated in-vitro diagnostic applications.

Qiagen (www.qiagen.com) and Abbott have entered into an agreement that significantly strengthens both companies’ testing menus for automated in-vitro diagnostic applications in the United States and Canada. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Under the terms of the agreements, Qiagen will receive kits for a PCR-based molecular assay for HIV-1 viral load testing in the U.S. and Canada, which will be commercialized under Qiagen’s brand. This test will enable healthcare professionals to measure the viral load of HIV infections in patients. It is expected that the new HIV-1 test will be available by 2012, thereby adding to Qiagen’s pipeline of U.S. regulatory submissions, which is expected to also include a quantitative HBV (Hepatitis B) test. In addition, Abbott will provide a quantitative HCV (Hepatitis C) test that will be optimized and labelled for use on Qiagen’s QIAsymphony RGQ instrument and marketed under the Abbott brand in the U.