Today, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. announces that it has entered
into a master collaboration agreement with Pfizer Inc. to design,
develop and commercialize diagnostic tests for therapeutic products
across Pfizer’s pipeline. Under the agreement, Siemens will be one of
Pfizer’s collaboration partners to develop and provide in vitro
diagnostic tests for use in clinical studies and, potentially, eventual
global commercialization with Pfizer products.
The partnership will leverage Siemens’ worldwide leadership in providing
clinical diagnostic solutions for hospital and reference laboratories,
specialty laboratories and point-of-care settings (including clinics and
physician offices) to help enable diagnostics development.
“Companion diagnostics are an important enabler of targeted therapies
for patients,” said John Hubbard, Senior Vice President and Worldwide
Head of Development Operations at Pfizer. “This agreement with Siemens
Healthcare Diagnostics is another example of Pfizer’s commitment to
develop new precision medicines to address unmet clinical needs.”
Companion diagnostic tests are clinical tests linked to a specific drug
or therapy intended to assist physicians in making more informed and
personalized treatment decisions for their patients. When used in the
drug development process, companion diagnostics may help pharmaceutical
companies improve patient selection and treatment monitoring, determine
the preferred therapy dosing for patients, and establish a protocol to
help maximize the treatment benefit for patients.
“Our relationship with Pfizer marks a major milestone in Siemens’
personalized medicine strategy,” commented Dr. Trevor Hawkins, Senior
Vice President, Strategy & Innovations, Diagnostics Division, Siemens
Healthcare. “We look forward to collaborating with Pfizer to realize the
goal of advancing innovative solutions that change the way patient care
is delivered and, together, shape the future of diagnostic medicine.”
The Siemens Clinical Laboratory (SCL), a “high-complexity,” cutting-edge
testing laboratory focused on advancing personalized medicine, will
develop the companion diagnostic tests under the master agreement.
The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's largest
suppliers to the healthcare industry and a trendsetter in medical
imaging, laboratory diagnostics, medical information technology and
hearing aids. Siemens offers its customers products and solutions for
the entire range of patient care from a single source – from prevention
and early detection to diagnosis, and on to treatment and aftercare. By
optimizing clinical workflows for the most common diseases, Siemens also
makes healthcare faster, better and more cost-effective. Siemens
Healthcare employs some 52,000 employees worldwide and operates around
the world. In fiscal year 2013 (to September 30), the Sector posted
revenue of 13.6 billion euros and profit of 2.0 billion euros. For
further information please visit: www.siemens.com/healthcare.
Copyright Business Wire 2013