BD and Euroclone Announce Development and Global Distribution Agreement

On Sep 22, 2017

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a global medical technology company based in Franklin Lakes, and Euroclone (Euroclone Diagnostica Srl) announced a development and global distribution agreement for molecular tests to detect emerging sexually-transmitted pathogens.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired each day, with the increasing prevalence of drug resistance posing a significant threat to reducing the effectiveness of STI treatment.1

The molecular assays in development will offer an increased likelihood of patients receiving proper diagnoses and therapy whether or not they are exhibiting symptoms. The new assays will also support clinical laboratories in antimicrobial stewardship efforts and assist institutions in complying with European STI screening guidelines.2,3

By using the fully-automated BD MAX™ System, the collaborative solutions will detect infectious genital mycoplasmas, including Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma species. These specific pathogens are difficult to identify by conventional methods,2,3 and if not diagnosed and treated appropriately, place infected individuals at risk for immediate and long-term health consequences, such as infertility and increased susceptibility to HIV2,4. The assays will also identify resistance markers of common drug therapies, including macrolides, a class of antibiotics often used as first-line treatment for STIs, which enables physicians to prescribe an appropriate course of antibiotic therapy.

“There is growing concern worldwide for macrolide resistance in Mycoplasma genitalium and more recent reports that have indicated increasingly prevalent quinolone resistance are worrying,” commented Dr. Suneeta Soni, consultant in Sexual Health and HIV, Brighton, United Kingdom.

BD is a global leader in providing solutions for women’s health and STIs. With the addition of these assays to the existing BD MAX portfolio, in conjunction with BD SurePath™, a liquid-based Pap test, and the BD Onclarity™ HPV assay, a molecular test for the detection of 14 high-risk HPV genotypes, BD continues to enhance its comprehensive solutions that enable clinical laboratories to address evolving diagnostic needs and regional guidelines2,3, and help mitigate the threat of antimicrobial resistance.5

“BD and Euroclone share a passion for reducing the risks associated with undiagnosed STIs, as well as the burden of symptoms that impact the lives of many worldwide,” said Doug White, vice president of Women’s Health & Molecular Diagnostics for BD.

“Our collaboration with BD is a very important and strategic path for the future of Euroclone. It brings us great satisfaction to work together to address the emerging threat of genital mycoplasmas,” said Franco Aiolfi, chief executive officer of Euroclone SpA and Euroclone Diagnostica Srl.

BD and Euroclone plan to develop and commercialize the assays for launch outside of the U.S. beginning in 2018 and in the U.S. at a later date.

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