Partners, Luminex team up to discover novel biomarkers, develop clinical assays

Luminex Corporation announced today that it has teamed with Partners HealthCare toward the discovery of novel biomarkers and development of clinical assays.  This program will enable Partners HealthCare Center for Personalized Genetic Medicine (PCPGM) to develop novel molecular diagnostic assays based on biomarkers discovered within Partners HealthCare entities.  These innovative tests will operate on Luminex's proprietary xMAP® testing platform.  Under the terms of the agreement, Luminex and PCPGM will evaluate opportunities for novel assays which will be developed and validated in the PCPGM's CLIA-certified Laboratory for Molecular Medicine.

"The collaboration with Luminex represents an important step forward in furthering Partners HealthCare Center for Personalized Genetic Medicine's mission to bridge the gap between research and clinical medicine," said Dr. Heidi Rehm, Director of PCPGM's Laboratory for Molecular Medicine at Partners HealthCare.  "Luminex's xMAP technology provides an ideal platform for Partners HealthCare to translate novel biomarker discoveries into cutting-edge tests and accelerate adoption of new molecular tests to provide the best clinical care for patients."  

The strength of the relationship between Luminex and PCPGM is the resources, technologies and industry experience that each organization offers, from research, development and the ability to commercialize novel molecular diagnostic assays. By utilizing Luminex's xMAP technology, PCPGM can develop novel assays and bring them from discovery to clinical diagnostics more efficiently and cost-effectively.

"Luminex and Partners HealthCare have a shared commitment to leverage genetic testing and personalized medicine to improve the quality of care and treatment for patients," said Patrick J. Balthrop, president and CEO of Luminex.  "Partners HealthCare is a premier institution with a history of proven success in the field of molecular diagnostics, and through the Center of Excellence agreement, we are confident that our joint efforts will drive market innovation and important technology advancements that will help dramatically improve patients' lives in the years ahead."