BD and Euroclone Announce Development and Global Distribution Agreement for Tests to Detect Emerging Sexually-Transmitted Pathogens

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. and SIZIANO, Italy, Sept. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company, and Euroclone (Euroclone Diagnostica Srl) today announced a development and global distribution agreement for molecular tests to detect emerging sexually-transmitted pathogens.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired each day, with the increasing prevalence of drug resistance posing a significant threat to reducing the effectiveness of STI treatment.¹

The molecular assays in development will offer an increased likelihood of patients receiving proper diagnoses and therapy whether or not they are exhibiting symptoms. The new assays will also support clinical laboratories in antimicrobial stewardship efforts and assist institutions in complying with European STI screening guidelines.^2,3

By using the fully-automated BD MAX™ System, the collaborative solutions will detect infectious genital mycoplasmas, including Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma species. These specific pathogens are difficult to identify by conventional methods,^2,3 and if not diagnosed and treated appropriately, place infected individuals at risk for immediate and long-term health consequences, such as infertility and increased susceptibility to HIV^2,4. The assays will also identify resistance markers of common drug therapies, including macrolides, a class of antibiotics often used as first-line treatment for STIs, which enables physicians to prescribe an appropriate course of antibiotic therapy.

"There is growing concern worldwide for macrolide resistance in Mycoplasma genitalium and more recent reports that have indicated increasingly prevalent quinolone resistance are worrying," commented Dr. Suneeta Soni, consultant in Sexual Health and HIV, Brighton, United Kingdom.

BD is a global leader in providing solutions for women's health and STIs. With the addition of these assays to the existing BD MAX portfolio, in conjunction with BD SurePath™, a liquid-based Pap test, and the BD Onclarity™ HPV assay*, a molecular test for the detection of 14 high-risk HPV genotypes, BD continues to enhance its comprehensive solutions that enable clinical laboratories to address evolving diagnostic needs and regional guidelines^2,3, and help mitigate the threat of antimicrobial resistance.⁵ 

"BD and Euroclone share a passion for reducing the risks associated with undiagnosed STIs, as well as the burden of symptoms that impact the lives of many worldwide," said Doug White, vice president of Women's Health & Molecular Diagnostics for BD.

"Our collaboration with BD is a very important and strategic path for the future of Euroclone. It brings us great satisfaction to work together to address the emerging threat of genital mycoplasmas," said Franco Aiolfi, chief executive officer of Euroclone SpA and Euroclone Diagnostica Srl.

BD and Euroclone plan to develop and commercialize the assays for launch outside of the U.S. beginning in 2018 and in the U.S. at a later date.

*This product is not for sale in the U.S.

About BD
BD is a global medical technology company that is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care. BD leads in patient and healthcare worker safety and the technologies that enable medical research and clinical laboratories. The company provides innovative solutions that help advance medical research and genomics, enhance the diagnosis of infectious disease and cancer, improve medication management, promote infection prevention, equip surgical and interventional procedures, and support the management of diabetes. The company partners with organizations around the world to address some of the most challenging global health issues. BD has nearly 50,000 associates across 50 countries who work in close collaboration with customers and partners to help enhance outcomes, lower healthcare delivery costs, increase efficiencies, improve healthcare safety and expand access to health. For more information on BD, please visit bd.com.

About Euroclone Diagnostica Srl
Euroclone Diagnostica Srl (http://www.euroclonediagnostica.it) is a subsidiary of Euroclone S.p.A. headquartered in Siziano, Italy with a focus on the development, production and commercialization of innovative diagnostics, particularly in the area of molecular biology. Euroclone Diagnostica Srl operates regionally and internationally, supporting products in the areas of genetics diagnostics, diagnostics infectivity, oncology, nucleic acid extraction and drugs of abuse.

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¹Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). (2016, August). Retrieved June 14, 2017, from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs110/en/
²Jensen, J. S., et al. (2016). 2016 European guideline on Mycoplasma genitalium infections (H. Moi, Ed.). Journal of the European Academy of Dematology and Venereology. doi:10.1111/jdv.13849
³Horner, P. J., Blee, K., & Van der Meijden, W. (2016). 2016 European guideline on the management of non-gonococcal urethritis. (H. Moi, Ed.). International Journal of STD & Aids, 27(11), 928-937. doi:10.1177/0956462416648585
⁴Ona, S., Molina, R. L., & Diouf, K. (2016). Mycoplasma genitalium: An Overlooked Sexually Transmitted Pathogen in Women? (L. Hafner, Ed.). Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2016(4513089), 1-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/4513089
⁵Soni S, et al. Sex Transm Infect 2017;0:1–2. doi:10.1136/sextrans-2016-053077

SOURCE BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)

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