Qiagen N.V. has announced a collaboration with SRL, Inc., the largest clinical testing laboratory company in Japan, to prepare for introduction of new companion diagnostics simultaneous with new drug approvals. The non-exclusive master collaboration agreement for clinical laboratory research services will enable rapid implementation by SRL of Qiagen´s companion diagnostic workflows upon approval of the drugs and tests by Japan’s Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). Several tests Qiagen is co-developing with pharmaceutical partners are expected to enter registration in Japan in the coming years.

Qiagen’s Day-One Lab Readiness initiative with SRL includes strategic planning for market access to companion diagnostics, filing for reimbursement, and alignment of medical communication by SRL, Qiagen and pharmaceutical partners. The agreement will cover a range of Qiagen companion diagnostics, including real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) solutions for Personalized Healthcare. Initial projects involve Qiagen companion diagnostics paired with new drugs under development in Japan for solid tumors and leukemia.