BD, Quest Diagnostics Join Forces to Develop Companion Diagnostics for Cancer, Other Diseases

Core Insights - BD and Quest Diagnostics have entered a global collaboration to develop, manufacture, and commercialize flow cytometry-based companion diagnostics aimed at improving treatment selection for cancer and other diseases [1][2]. Company Overview - BD is a leading global medical technology company with over 70,000 employees, focused on advancing health through innovative technology and solutions [5]. - Quest Diagnostics is a major player in diagnostic information services, serving one in three adult Americans and half of the physicians and hospitals in the U.S. with nearly 50,000 employees [6]. Collaboration Details - The collaboration will provide the pharmaceutical industry with an end-to-end solution for companion diagnostics, covering everything from exploratory panel development to the manufacturing and distribution of FDA-approved diagnostic kits [2][4]. - The partnership combines BD's expertise in flow cytometry with Quest's capabilities in biomarker and assay development, aiming to bring novel companion diagnostics to market [3][4]. Technology and Impact - Flow cytometry is highlighted as a critical technology that can rapidly analyze and sort individual cells, providing insights into patients' immune responses and aiding in the selection of first-line therapies for cancer patients [3]. - The use of companion diagnostics is expected to enhance patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs by enabling more precise healthcare [4].