Genetic Signatures, Tecan, Repado Ink Partnership for Automated Infectious Disease Testing

Original from: 360dx

Australian molecular diagnostics developer Genetic Signatures has signed a strategic partnership with lab automation solutions provider Tecan and in vitro diagnostic software developer Repado. Announced on Tuesday, the partnership aims to create a scalable suite of fully integrated syndromic infectious disease testing systems. Financial terms were not disclosed.

"This partnership accelerates our mission to simplify and scale syndromic molecular diagnostics globally," said Genetic Signatures CEO Allison Rossiter. "By aligning with trusted partners like Tecan and Repado, we can offer our customers complete solutions — from sample to result — with built-in compliance, quality, and performance."

The first phase of the partnership with Tecan and Repado has commenced, Genetic Signatures said in a statement. The intended platform will integrate Tecan's sample-to-result liquid handling platforms, Repado's modular and configurable software to meet IVD regulatory standards, and Genetic Signatures' respiratory, gastrointestinal, and sexually transmitted infection panels.

In May 2024, Genetic Signatures announced it had halted development of its syndromic respiratory panel for the US market due to increasing competition. Its GI panel was cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration in June 2024. In Tuesday's announcement, however, Genetic Signatures said it has initiated a development program to expand its proprietary 3base PCR syndromic infectious disease testing menu that will be launched with the new integrated hardware and software solution.

Madhu Vasudevamurthy, senior VP of IVD and life sciences partnering at Tecan, said that the partnership brings together the complementary expertise of the companies. "By combining our proven automation technology with advanced molecular diagnostics, we are supporting Genetic Signatures in enabling laboratories worldwide to meet the growing demands of infectious disease testing," Vasudevamurthy said. 

Repado CEO Kostas Delakouridis also commented that Repado's purpose-built compliant software platform "supports laboratories in meeting evolving requirements under demanding frameworks."

Separately, Genetic Signatures also reported on Tuesday that its sales in the second quarter totaled A$4.4 million (US$2.9 million), on par with the prior-year quarter and reflecting higher respiratory testing rates during the Australian winter respiratory season. In the quarter, Genetic Signatures implemented changes to its leadership and organizational structure in the US to better align with its current strategies, appointing Sarah Peaty, a molecular diagnostic sales executive with prior experience at Roche Diagnostics and Hologic, to lead its US team. The firm ended the quarter with A$30.9 million in cash.

Source: Genetic Signatures, Tecan, Repado Ink Partnership for Automated Infectious Disease Testing