SCIENION AG has announced that it has entered into a strategic, joint development agreement with AXELA Inc. AXELA provides integrated technology platforms based on proprietary flow through arrays for molecular diagnostics. Available in both high throughput and sample to answer, point-of-use formats, they allow sensitive, multiplex detection of nucleic acids and proteins across broad clinical applications.
 
Under the terms of the agreement, SCIENION and AXELA will jointly develop production systems and services for diagnostic and research products serving oncology, autoimmune, allergy, immunoassay, infectious disease and other markets. This will provide commercialization partners with an integrated and scalable offering to address emerging diagnostic markets.
 
“This agreement with SCIENION represents a natural evolution of the strong existing relationship between the two companies”, said Paul Smith, President of AXELA. “Our printing requirements are unique in that AXELA services many markets, requiring production of a wide variety of chips. These typically contain between 10-150 targets drawn from a diverse selection of antigens, antibodies and oligonucleotide probes. A precise and versatile liquid handling technology was necessary to meet these demanding requirements, while still providing our partners with a robust, go to market production solution”.
 
“We are excited to undertake this new strategic partnership with AXELA, whose award winning system is explicitly designed for real-world applications,” said Holger Eickhoff, Founder and CEO of SCIENION. “AXELA is an excellent partner with deep industry roots. This cooperative agreement is a testament to SCIENION’s ongoing efforts to expand marketing and related value-added services. At the same time, we look forward to utilizing our extensive experience in diagnostics markets to help AXELA expand its business opportunities. This partnership with AXELA allows SCIENION to better position itself in the diagnostics eco-system, supplying unique solutions to these markets.”