Beckman Coulter and Fujirebio Expand Partnership on Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostics

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and Fujirebio Diagnostics (Tokyo, Japan) have expanded their partnership focused on the development, manufacturing and clinical adoption of neurodegenerative disease assays. Both companies entered into a collaboration agreement in 2023 to target new biomarkers in line with the recently approved monoclonal antibody-based Alzheimer’s disease therapeutics. These new drugs have demonstrated a major impact on slowing disease progression and improving patients' health. The companies have now extended this research program and further refined the target analytes, including a pTau217 plasma assay being developed by Beckman Coulter and a Beta Amyloid 1-42 plasma assay under development by Fujirebio.

These new assays are being developed for use on the recently launched DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer from Beckman Coulter. The DxI 9000 Analyzer’s novel Lumi-Phos PRO Substrate has demonstrated the ability to develop highly sensitive and clinically relevant assays. This agreement leverages Fujirebio’s expertise in the development, manufacturing and regulatory registration of its Neurological Reagent Kits and its wide Neurological Biomarker menu. Fujirebio currently offers a full range of research use only (RUO) blood-based neurodegenerative biomarkers including β-amyloid1-42, β-amyloid1-40, phospho-Tau181, neurofilament light (NfL), ApoE4, Pan-ApoE and phospho-Tau217.

Image: These new assays are being developed for use on the recently introduced DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)

“We are very excited by our expanded partnership with Fujirebio designed to overcome challenges of developing highly sensitive assays, measuring ultra-low concentrations of neurodegenerative disease biomarkers circulating in the bloodstream,” said Kevin O’Reilly, President, Beckman Coulter Diagnostics.

“Our expanded partnership with Beckman Coulter will enable increased laboratory, clinician and patient access to more neurodegenerative biomarkers around the world,” added Monte Wiltse, President & CEO, Fujirebio Diagnostics, Inc. “We look forward to continued collaboration with Beckman Coulter bringing these critical assays to physicians and patients worldwide.”