New molecular diagnostics business launched in Manchester

Health Innovation Manchester and global partner Qiagen have announced a new company to develop new tests for the prediction, prevention, and diagnosis of disease.

At a ceremony in the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust / Manchester Science Partnerships Citylabs 1.0 building, partners launched ‘Apis Assay Technologies’, a new business dedicated to developing novel techniques (called biomarkers) for diagnosing disease and pinpointing the treatments which are right for each individual patient. APIS will be based in Citylabs 1.0, located on the main Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust campus alongside the Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine.

The initiative is the brainchild of global biotech company Qiagen and Health Innovation Manchester, the partnership between the city region’s universities, health and care providers and funders which is working with industry to accelerate innovation to tackle Greater Manchester’s health problems.

Rowena Burns, chair of Health Innovation Manchester, said: “Greater Manchester’s vision is to create a globally-leading precision health campus for innovation, translational science and molecular diagnostics, employing up to 1,500 highly skilled people. Our partnership with Qiagen underlines their role as the UK’s flagship industry partner and acts as a catalyst for Manchester to become a major hub for genomic research and industry in Europe.

“This is a major development for life sciences here – and across the North – and a testament to our long-standing history of forming public-private partnerships to support the creation of jobs, growth, address the health needs of local people, while also making an important international contribution to improved diagnosis and treatment of disease.”

Qiagen specialises in genomic medicine and molecular diagnostics, with an existing research and development centre in Manchester. In 2020, the company’s Manchester business will take possession of Citylabs 2.0, a flagship facility on the Citylabs campus, anchoring Qiagen’s European Centre of Excellence for Precision Medicine and global hub for diagnostics development.

Peer M. Schatz, chief executive officer of Qiagen, said: “We’re proud that Qiagen was selected as a partner to create this innovative new company APIS, which we believe has the potential to accelerate scientific discovery and drive the development of valuable molecular tests. We believe that this partnership with the great scientific and clinical expertise and capacities found in Manchester will accelerate molecular biomarker research, leading to the development of new and promising diagnostic assays.

“This collaborative initiative can serve as an incubator for translating genomic biomarkers into clinical use. We are certain that the people of greater Manchester and patients all over the world will benefit from advanced diagnostic insights.”

Apis will help to realise the clinical and commercial potential of genomic medicine in diagnostic tests and personalisation of treatment, and in the prediction and prevention of disease.

The company already has three tests in development, including for prognostic breast cancer diagnostics. They plan to use insights gained in oncology to expand its diagnostics services to other disease areas such as liver and lung diseases, pharmacogenomics and non-invasive reproductive diagnostics, using advanced technology. The company is actively in talks with a number of pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies about establishing partnerships.

Ian Kavanagh, chief operating officer of Apis Assay Technologies, said: “We are very excited about the challenge that lies ahead. Apis combines scientific talent, unique development expertise and cutting edge technology, helping us bring molecular diagnostics to benefit patients around the globe. Our business model rests on three pillars - a biomarker industrial research program, the fast-tracking of biomarkers and diagnostic platforms for market sale and contract development.”