VelaDx has signed a license and supply agreement with Life Technologies to develop new sequencing-based in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests on the Ion Personal Genome Machine (PGM) sequencer.
Under the agreement, VelaDx will seek approvals from global regulatory authorities for clinical diagnostic tests in oncology and infectious disease.
Vela has chosen the Ion PGM system because it is complementary to its Sentosa workflow and menu of qPCR assay kits.
The company said a bi-directional data communication with laboratory information systems between the Ion PGM and Sentosa systems will maintain the accuracy of data and improve the efficiency of the laboratory workflow.
Vela CEO Michael Tillmann said,"The Ion PGM System will support Vela's strategy to improve laboratory efficiency and bring new innovative tests to our customers to help improve treatment decisions for patients."
Ion Torrent president and COO Gregg Fergus said semiconductor sequencing is a transformative technology that can make diagnostic tests faster and more informative, helping doctors around the world save lives and make personalized medicine a reality.
"The founders and management team at Vela Diagnostics have a proven track record of first-mover success in the diagnostic marketplace and are ideal partners to introduce tests in the important clinical areas they have licensed," Fergus added.
