Spain-based Grifols, a biopharmaceutical manufacturer, has entered into a long-term cooperative agreement with the diagnostics business of Novartis for the commercialization of select Grifols' diagnostic products in the US.

Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis will market and distribute Grifols‘ immunohematology instruments, assays and other products following US regulatory approvals.

The agreement also covers semi-automated pre-transfusion diagnostic products made by Grifols subsidiaries as well as Progenika blood group antigen genotyping products currently distributed by Grifols.

The commercialization agreement with Grifols will add immunohematology instruments to the portfolio of products Novartis Diagnostics can make available to blood banks and hospital transfusion centers.

Grifols Diagnostic head Oriol Dunach said the commercialization agreement with Novartis will serve to enhance transfusion safety throughout the US by providing laboratories with the latest technologies and highest quality services.