Becton Dickinson's BD Life Sciences division and Seegene will co-develop multiplex real-time PCR reagents for the BD Max system, the firms announced today.The tests will be based on Seegene's core enabling multiplex PCR methods and chemistries: dual-priming oligonucleotide (DPO), tagging oligonucleotide capture and extension (TOCE), and MuDT assay reagents.
 

"With Seegene's multiplex reagents that simultaneously detect and identify various types of pathogens in a single test, we will continue to expand the BD Max assay portfolio," Doug White, vice president and general manager of molecular diagnostics and women's health for BD Life Sciences, said in a statement.
 

The BD Max platform combines automated extraction, amplification, and detection. The firm also launched a line of reagents for the platform last year to enable users to develop their own molecular assays, and has an expanding menu of tests, with the next anticipated launch being an enteric parasite panel in the third quarter of this year.The firm also acquired Cellular Research last month as part of a broader genomics strategy.

Seegene, meanwhile, is also developing molecular assays with Beckman Coulter using the same core technologies, but the collaboration with BD will design tests exclusive to BD's molecular diagnostics platform, according to today's statement.