Menarini expands into CTC liquid biopsy

Cellsearch is the only FDA-approved liquid biopsy testing platform for circulating tumour cells. The acquisition includes the Cellsearch CTC kit, the Celltracks autoprep system and the Cellsearch analyser, which allow clinically validated detection and enumeration of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with metastatic breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers. CTCs are cells spread from the primary tumour into the blood. The test is also approved by the China Food and Drug Administration for use in monitoring metastatic breast cancer patients. 

Menarini said it wants to combine the CTC portfolio with its DEPArray platform for image-based digital cell-sorting and isolation. The integration of Cellsearch enrichment and DEPArray sorting was shown to deliver 100% pure cells suitable for reproducible downstream sequencing analysis. DEPArray technology has other applications that include recovery and molecular characterisation of pure cell populations from disaggregated formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens, fresh tissues and fine-needle aspiration samples.

Under the agreement, Menarini-Silicon Biosystems will assume operations of Janssen’s CLIA-certified laboratory in Huntingdon Valley, Pa. A. Menarini Diagnostics will operate the business in Europe, while Menarini Silicon Biosystems Inc. will lead the business in the U.S. and the rest of the world. Not all operations will be transferred simultaneously, the present closing relates to the U.S. and Europe, while the closing for the rest of the world will follow at a later stage. Financial details were not disclosed.