Siemens Healthineers, a global leader in medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, and healthcare information technology, recently announced its decision to acquire Fast Track Diagnostics (FTD), a Luxembourg-based global supplier of diagnostics tests.
Over the past 24 months, Siemens Healthineers made significant advancements in the molecular diagnostics field, including the acquisition of NEO New Oncology last year. The acquisition of FTD adds more than 80 platform-agnostic assays and syndromic panels to the menu of tests for Siemens' Versant kPCR Molecular System. Unlike a clinical examination alone, FTD's diagnostic tests can distinguish between viral, bacterial, or other infections in one test. The platform-agnostic menu will also allow Siemens Healthineers to effectively serve a broader customer base.
FTD's PCR-based tests are both single- and multiplex and can detect more than 140 viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. The tests target respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, meningitis, hepatitis, tropical and sexually transmitted diseases, diseases of early childhood, as well as infections typical in immunosuppressed patients.
Fernando Beils, Head of Molecular Diagnostics, Siemens Healthineers said, "By integrating the high-quality and cost-effective solutions of Fast Track Diagnostics into our own cutting-edge molecular diagnostics portfolio, Siemens Healthineers continues to strengthen and expand its presence in the field of molecular testing and precision medicine. We are excited to introduce both FTD's products and world-class team to the Siemens Healthineers family."
With this deal, Healthineers will take control of FTD's sites in Luxembourg, Malta, and India, and about 80 employees. However, FTD will continue to operate under its current brand name.
Bill Carman, CEO of Fast Track Diagnostics is excited about Combining FTD's wide range of assays with the Siemens Healthineers portfolio, which he says will offer many benefits for their customers.
"The VERSANT kPCR Molecular System is perfectly suited to our wide range of assays, which means laboratories can now diagnose nearly any infectious disease in one workflow," he said.
In June 2017, both the firms had established a strategic alliance. This acquisition is expected to increase the breadth of Siemens Healthineers' complete molecular testing solution, ensuring leading-edge performance from extraction through detection and increasing workflow efficiency for molecular labs of all sizes.