MicroPoint Bioscience and Bio-Techne Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Precision Medicine in China Through Microfluidic Technology

VCBeat (WeChat Official Account: vcbeat) has learned that MicroPoint Bio (based in Shenzhen, China) signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Bio-Techne Corporation (based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) in Shenzhen on October 12, 2018. Mr. Yan Pingyi, Chairman of MicroPoint Bio; Mr. Chuck Kummeth, CEO of Bio-Techne; and Mr. Wang Bin, Executive Vice President of the Shenzhen Medical Device Industry Association, jointly attended the meeting and participated in the signing ceremony.

In the presence of Wang Bin, Executive Vice President of the Shenzhen Medical Device Industry Association; Cao Guiping, Deputy General Manager of Weidian Biology; Lin Yongxi, Medical Marketing Director of Weidian Biology; Dave Eansor, Senior Vice President of Bio-Techne; Peter Breloer, Vice President of Asia-Pacific at Bio-Techne; Liwen Pei, General Manager of Greater China at Bio-Techne; and Dr. Shao Xiaowen, Head of Strategic Cooperation and Investment in Asia-Pacific at Bio-Techne, Yan Pingyi, Chairman of Weidian Biology, and Chuck Kummeth, CEO of Bio-Techne, signed a strategic cooperation agreement on behalf of their respective companies.

Under the agreement, Weidian Bio and Bio-Techne Corporation, as two leading high-tech enterprises in the field of microfluidics, will leverage their complementary strengths, joint R&D and production platforms, and proprietary technology patents to drive the innovative application of Bio-Techne’s Ella microfluidic system in this field and promote the localization of its manufacturing in China.

This strategic partnership not only demonstrates that Weidian Biotechnology’s manufacturing and R&D capabilities have been recognized by a world-class company, but also enables the company to unlock greater potential for microfluidics technology in the IVD sector. Weidian Biotechnology and Bio-Techne will leverage this strategic collaboration to further strengthen technological integration in the field of microfluidics, and on this basis, develop companion diagnostics and precision medicine diagnostic tools, providing high-quality, convenient, and high-tech diagnostic products and services to doctors and patients across China.

Mr. Yan Pingyi, Chairman of Weidian Biology, stated: “Weidian is thrilled about this strategic partnership. This collaboration leverages our respective strengths to develop diagnostic tools for monitoring and differentiating cytokine storm during immunotherapy, a technology that will effectively enhance the safety and efficacy of tumor immunotherapy. With a profound understanding of the Chinese diagnostics market, we will leverage our established teams in R&D, marketing, clinical medicine, and medical regulations to support the expansion of this technology in China. We will capitalize on our technological advantages in microfluidics to continuously innovate diagnostic products and methodologies, contributing to China’s precision medicine market.”

Chuck Kummeth, CEO of Bio-Techne, stated, “The synergies between our two companies are evident. Diagnostic decision-making is increasingly relying on the profiles of cytokines and growth factors in circulating body fluids. Therefore, we need to create testing platforms capable of accommodating more complex biomarker profiles. Securing high-quality reagents to expand our test menus and meet the emerging diagnostic markets and demands is key to this partnership.”

MicroDx is a high-tech enterprise listed on the National Equities Exchange and Quotations (NEEQ), specializing in the R&D, manufacturing, and sales of microfluidic diagnostic chips. It has become one of the few manufacturers worldwide to master low-cost, large-scale production technology for microfluidic chips, with an annual capacity of millions of chips. The company’s product portfolio includes self-developed assays for cardiac markers (TnI, Triple Cardiac Markers, BNP, NT-proBNP, D-Dimer), infection markers (PCT, Dual Infection Markers), renal failure markers (NGAL), reproductive health (AMH), and coagulation markers (PT/INR, Coagulation Panel). It also features the mLabs® Microfluidic Fluorescence Immunoassay Analyzer, Smart Multi-channel Microfluidic Fluorescence Immunoassay Analyzer, Hyper i300 Fully Automated Microfluidic Fluorescence Immunoassay Analyzer, and qLabs® Electrochemical Coagulation Analyzer. These products hold significant importance for China’s healthcare industry.

The company aims to establish Weidian as a global leader in “Lab on a Chip” products, adhering to the design philosophy of “precision, convenience, low cost, and high performance,” and making relentless efforts to advance human health.

The company aims to establish Weidian as a global leader in “Lab on a Chip” products, adhering to the design philosophy of “precision, convenience, low cost, and high performance,” and making relentless efforts to advance human health. Bio-Techne is one of the pioneers among biotechnology companies to list on the Nasdaq. In 2007, it established its China branch in Shanghai to support the development and rapid growth of China’s life sciences industry. Currently, it owns numerous leading brands, including R&D Systems, Novus, Tocris, ProteinSimple, PrimeGene, and ACD.

In the life sciences industry, Bio-Techne has long been a leader in immunology, maintaining its status as the gold standard for various assays, while also emerging as a leading provider of molecular diagnostic solutions through its advanced brands in cellular and exosome diagnostics.