GE Healthcare subsidiary Clarient Diagnostic Services has partnered with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to improve access to diagnostic testing for cancer patients.
As part of the deal, a network of clinical laboratories will be established to identify genetic mutations associated with different tumor types, and will be made available as a subscription-based service.
These laboratories will be operated by GE Healthcare, as per the terms of the agreement.
Clarient Diagnostic Services CEO Cindy Collins said: "Our arrangement with GSK will enable us to leverage our clinical, technical and quality management expertise to credential laboratory partners worldwide."
Clarient will use GSK’s clinical laboratory, pathology and genomics expertise to certify laboratories and generate diagnostic data on metastatic melanoma patients, under the terms of the agreement.
Initially, laboratory testing will be carried on around 70 mutations relevant to melanoma, including BRAF V600E and V600K, and will be expanded to other tumor types, as the network of clinical laboratories develops.
The first Clarient certified laboratories are expected to commence operations in different countries in early 2015.
GSK oncology companion diagnostics and disease strategy head Jonathan Pan said the commercial testing infrastructure created through this collaboration will enable advanced diagnostic solutions that should improve how patient care is delivered, where the certified laboratories are operational.
"Through this agreement, we hope to better address the variability in access and quality of diagnostic testing which is a common problem seen with targeted oncology therapies and related companion diagnostics globally," Pan added.
Image: GlaxoSmithKline headquaters in Brentford, London, England. Photo: courtesy of Maxwell Hamilton.