Protagen AG has announced that it has entered into a long-term collaboration agreement with QIAGEN targeting the development of novel protein-based companion diagnostics for autoimmune disorders.

Under the terms of the agreement, QIAGEN will gain access to the proprietary SeroTag^® technology platform of Protagen, which enables the discovery and validation of novel protein-based marker panels. Such markers hold great promise for the development into companion diagnostics to guide treatment decisions in various autoimmune disorders. Financial details of the collaboration were not disclosed.

“Together with QIAGEN, we will be able to accelerate the market acceptance of our exciting technology, and to significantly improve drug development in autoimmune disease as well as related disorders,” commented Stefan Müllner, CEO of Protagen.

“Following cancer, autoimmune disorders are currently the second largest therapeutic area for companion diagnostics in drug development with a significant unmet medical need”, said Rainer Metzger, Vice President Business Development Pharma at QIAGEN. “Thanks to the collaboration with Protagen, we’ll now be able to offer our partners in the pharmaceutical industry a new diagnostic technology particularly well suited to advance personalized healthcare in autoimmune disorders and further expand our activities in this indication area.”

The synergistic combination of the unique expertise of QIAGEN and Protagen in the development and commercialization of companion diagnostics will offer a complete solution for pharmaceutical and biotech companies targeting the development of new therapeutic compounds, diagnostic or companion diagnostic tests in the area of autoimmune disorders.

The SeroTag^® biomarker identification and development engine is a clinical quality, automated multiplex technology for the discovery and clinical validation of novel autoantigens at an unprecedented quality and pace. SeroTag^® allows for the high-throughput de-novo discovery of biomarker candidates by measuring the levels of autoantibodies to thousands of different antigens in every single serum sample from thousands of patients. SeroTag^® can be used to support clinical drug development programs (Phases I-IV) in autoimmune disease through the development of accurate and sensitive diagnostic assays (Dx) and companion diagnostic tests (CDx). These tests aid the specific diagnosis of autoimmune disease and enable the stratification of patients and diseases, ultimately leading to improved therapeutic regimens.

more about protagen ag