BD and Lab21 Collaborate to Develop New Oncology Assays on the BD MAX™ Platform

BALTIMORE and CAMBRIDGE, England, Oct. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- BD Diagnostics, a segment of global medical technology company BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), and Lab21, a global leader in personalized healthcare diagnostics, announced today that they will collaborate to develop oncology assays for the BD MAX™ fully automated, bench-top molecular system.

Under the terms of the collaboration, Lab21 will develop polymerase chain reaction-based assays on the BD MAX platform for a series of oncology markers. BD will be responsible for manufacturing and commercializing the tests worldwide. The first two assays will be designed to detect mutations in the KRAS and BRAF genes. These initial assays were selected because of their current importance in optimizing the management of cancer patients. The agreement also includes the development of novel nucleic acid extraction procedures from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. 

The collaboration will develop BD's first offering in personalized cancer diagnostics on the BD MAX system.

"When used in conjunction with other laboratory and clinical information, these assays will provide critical input to support oncologists and their patients in making more informed decisions about their care," said Tom Polen, President, BD Diagnostics – Diagnostic Systems. 

Graham Mullis, CEO of Lab21, added, "We are pleased to expand our partnership with BD from the detection of Aspergillus species to the broader development and commercialization of important diagnostic markers in the oncology area. Lab21 has significant experience with and proven assay development capability in cancer molecular diagnostics."

Financial terms of the agreement and information regarding additional assays were not disclosed.

About BD 
BD is a leading global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. The Company is dedicated to improving people's health throughout the world. BD is focused on improving drug delivery, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases and cancers, and advancing research, discovery and production of new drugs and vaccines. BD's capabilities are instrumental in combating many of the world's most pressing diseases. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, BD employs approximately 29,000 associates in more than 50 countries throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry and the general public. For more information, please visit www.bd.com.

About Lab21 
Lab21 is a global leader in personalized healthcare. It provides diagnostic products and services and supports blood bank screening, medical diagnostics and drug discovery. Lab21 customers include international healthcare providers, pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies. The Products division of Lab21 manufactures immunodiagnostic kits and reagents that are distributed internationally and is focused on infectious diseases for the blood-banking and clinical markets.  Lab21's clinical services operations has a growing test portfolio providing companion diagnostics and high technology molecular assays. Lab21's corporate offices are based in Cambridge, UK and South Carolina, USA with a GMP manufacturing site in Cambridge and other manufacturing facilities in Newmarket, Camberley and Bridport. Website:  www.lab21.com. 

SOURCE BD-Becton Dickinson