Gen-Probe and 3M to develop faster food safety tests

Published: 30-Nov--0001

Gen-Probe has formed an exclusive worldwide collaboration with 3M to develop, manufacture and market innovative nucleic acid tests (NATs) to enhance food safety and increase the efficiency of testing for food manufacturers


Gen-Probe has formed an exclusive worldwide collaboration with 3M to develop, manufacture and market innovative nucleic acid tests (NATs) to enhance food safety and increase the efficiency of testing for food manufacturers.

The two companies will work together to commercialise innovative assays that will detect microbial contamination in food more rapidly and accurately than traditional methods.

"This collaboration will allow 3M to provide food processors with a broader range of products that complement the widely used 3M Petrifilm Plate product line and the recently acquired Biotrace International products," said Chuck Kummeth, division vice-president, 3M Medical Division.

Under the terms of the collaboration, 3M is responsible for developing sample processing methods that will be used with Gen-Probe's NATs. 3M also is responsible for obtaining the necessary regulatory licenses and approvals to commercialise the products, and for selling and marketing them worldwide.

Gen-Probe is responsible for assay development and manufacturing. 3M has agreed to make milestone payments to Gen-Probe based on technical progress, and to help fund assay development.

Gen-Probe's NATs are used to screen more than 80% of the US blood supply for HIV-1, hepatitis C virus and West Nile virus, and to diagnose more than half of the two most common bacterial sexually transmitted diseases.

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