Ventana has proven expertise in immunohistochemistry and the detection of
various protein structures. In addition, the company offers a global prevalence
of automated IHC platforms, now numbering more than 10,000 worldwide.
Under the terms of the new agreement, Ventana will create an expert team
with resources exclusively assigned to Bayer projects and will work on the
development of companion diagnostic tests for targeted therapies in the Bayer
development portfolio. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
"We are looking forward to continue our collaboration with the Ventana
team to develop companion diagnostics that will help to select targeted
therapeutics for cancer patients," says Prof. Dr. Khusru Asadullah, Vice
President and Head of Global Biomarkers at Bayer HealthCare.
"These types of agreements are for pharmaceutical companies that have
made companion diagnostics core to their development platform," says Doug
Ward, Vice President, Companion Diagnostics, Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
"Bayer chose Ventana because they want a partner that is prepared to
deliver."
In addition to Bayer, Ventana has worked with more than 45
biopharmaceutical partners over the past decade and is currently engaged in
more than 150 collaborative projects to develop and commercialize companion
diagnostics globally.
About Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. ("VMSI") (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), a member of the Roche Group, innovates and manufactures instruments and reagents that automate tissue processing and slide staining for cancer diagnostics. VENTANA products are used in clinical histology and drug development research laboratories worldwide. The company's intuitive, integrated staining, workflow management platforms, and digital pathology solutions optimize laboratory efficiencies to reduce errors, support diagnosis and inform treatment decisions for anatomic pathology professionals. Together with Roche, VMSI is driving Personalized Healthcare through accelerated drug discovery and the development of "companion diagnostics" to identify the patients most likely to respond favorably to specific therapies.