Asuragen Signs Agreement With Biogen Idec

Asuragen has entered into an agreement with Biogen Idec to identify a potential companion diagnostic test, that may be used to select patients likely to respond to a Biogen therapeutic candidate in clinical development.

Matt Winkler, CEO of Asuragen, said: “The integrated drug-diagnostic co-development strategy being pursued by Biogen Idec and Asuragen has enormous potential to help physicians identify patients that will benefit from specific cancer treatments, and will be another step towards delivering on the promise of personalized medicine.

“We look forward to leveraging our long history and broad expertise in biomarker discovery, pharmacogenomic services, and diagnostic development capabilities for this project,” he added.

Asuragen is an integrated RNA-based therapeutic and diagnostics company with core focus on miRNA.

Biogen Idec is engaged in the discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of therapies that address diseases such as lymphoma, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.