Biocartis inks diagnostic agreement with Amgen

Molecular diagnostics company Biocartis Group signed a new companion diagnostic development (CDx) agreement with biotechnology firm Amgen on Tuesday over the latter's Idylla compound.

The agreement would see the two develop companion diagnostic biomarker tests for Amgen's Idylla, a novel oncology compound to be used in the treatment of certain solid tumours.

Biocartis and Amgen had previously signed a companion diagnostic agreement aimed at registering Idylla KRAS Mutation Test and the Idylla NRAS-BRAF mutation test with the US Food & Drug Administration.

Ulrik Cordes, of Biocartis' companion diagnostics chief, said, "This new CDx agreement reinforces our strong partnership with Amgen. We are very happy to now add to this relationship a CDx co-development program supporting a novel Amgen drug compound."

"Today's announcement is also an important next step in the expansion of our CDx portfolio which should contribute to short-term revenue generation and create a strong pipeline of future Idylla CDx biomarker tests," he added.

As of 1000 GMT, shares had grown 4.00% to €13.52 each.