Singapore: Novacyt, cancer and infectious disease diagnostics company, and Leica Biosystems, a supplier to the pathology market, have joined hands to grow in the China market.

According to the deal, Leica Biosystems will have exclusive distribution of Novacyt's NOVAPrep cytology platform in China, a fast growing market for cervical cancer. By 2020 it is expected to be significantly larger than the US market and will then be the number one market for liquid based cytology screening for the disease. There are estimated to be 60 million cervical cancer screening tests performed annually in China today and by 2020 this could grow to 150 million cervical cancer screening tests per year.

The distribution partnership combines the commercial strength of Leica Biosystems in the Chinese Pathology market, with Novacyt's innovative next generation NOVAPrep cytology platform which received CFDA approval for the Chinese market. The agreement has an initial term of five years and covers Greater China including mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

Mr Francis Kee, vice president and general manager, Greater China, Leica Biosystems, commented, "Novacyt has developed an innovative and proprietary next generation liquid based cytology system. This will add to the broad offering of pathology products Leica offers pathologists and histology professionals today. The fast growing Chinese healthcare market is of key importance to Leica and we look forward to being able to expand our customer offering with the innovative NOVAPrep technology"

Mr Graham Mullis, group CEO, Novacyt, commented, "We are delighted to announce this distribution partnership with Leica Biosystems, a leading supplier to the pathology market. We believe Leica Biosystems is an excellent partner for Novacyt to penetrate the fastest growing cytology market in the world. This deal is a significant endorsement of the quality and performance of our NOVAPrep technology. It marks the beginning of our global expansion strategy."

NOVAPrep is expected to be launched in China during the second half of 2015.