Nanosphere, Inc., a leader in the development and commercialization of advanced molecular diagnostics systems, announced today it has signed a distribution and collaboration agreement with Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation (Hitachi High-Tech). The agreement grants Hitachi High-Tech exclusive rights to market Nanosphere products in Japan. As well, the two companies intend to collaborate on assay and platform development.
The partnership plays a significant role in Nanosphere's global distribution strategy, as it expands the Company's product reach into one of the largest healthcare markets in the world.
"Nanosphere's portfolio of molecular diagnostics tests fits well with Japan's demand for rapid and accurate diagnostic tools to fight infections, enabling clinicians to target therapies potentially improving critical patient care and outcomes," said Kazuhiro Matsumura, Hitachi High-Tech's General Manager, Medical Systems Business Development Department, Strategic Planning Division, Science & Medical Systems Business Group. Mr. Matsumura added, "Nanosphere's rapid sample-to-result Verigene System meets the needs of Japan's health care providers who have been waiting for a molecular platform accessible to hospitals of all sizes."
"We are very pleased to be partnering with Hitachi High-Tech given their experience and reputation in both marketing and developing diagnostic products," said Michael McGarrity, Nanosphere's president and chief executive officer. "Hitachi High-Tech has a world class reputation for excellence and quality worldwide, and we jointly believe there is a considerable market and value creation opportunity that will be realized through this collaboration."
Benefits of Nanosphere's Growing Menu of Infectious Disease Products
The need for rapid, accurate and clinically actionable diagnostic results has been well defined in Europe and the USA with Nanosphere's broad menu of infectious disease tests:
- Gram-Positive Blood Culture test (BC-GP) to detect bacteria, including antibiotic resistance markers, that may cause bloodstream infections (510(k) cleared; CE Mark)
- Gram-Negative Blood Culture test (BC-GN) to detect Bacteria including antibiotic resistance markers, that may cause bloodstream infections (CE Mark)
- Respiratory Virus Plus test (RV+) to detect multiple respiratory viruses which cause respiratory tract infections (510(k) cleared; CE Mark)
- Clostridium difficile test (CDF) to detect potentially deadly C. difficile and identifies the 027 hypervirulent strain (510(k) cleared; CE Mark)
- Enteric Pathogens test (EP) to detect and multiple bacteria, viruses and toxin genes which cause gastrointestinal infections (In Clinical Trials). Nanosphere plans to commercialize the Enteric Pathogens test in 2013 following receipt of the necessary regulatory approvals.