Cambridge, UK and Deqing, China — Abcam, a global leader in the supply of life science research tools, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shuwen Biotech, a leading player in the development and commercialization of companion diagnostics (CDx). Through the agreement, Abcam and Shuwen will jointly leverage their respective capabilities, in producing high-quality antibodies and CDx kit development and commercialization, to better serve the needs of the pharma industry.

The two parties are responding to the increasing range of development needs from pharmaceutical and biopharma developers, patients, healthcare professionals, and regulatory authorities, The nature of any joint work is yet to be determined in detail but is likely to encompass Abcam providing reproducible highly-specific recombinant antibodies to key targets, which Shuwen will incorporate into companion diagnostic kits.

“Shuwen has a long-standing reputation amongst pharmaceutical companies for companion diagnostic kit development and central lab testing, and Abcam is a recognized leader in quality antibody development. This alliance will undoubtedly further strengthen Shuwen’s capabilities in developing quality companion diagnostic kits especially immunoassay kits,” said Jay Z. Zhang, Shuwen’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. “We have seen continuous advances at all levels in personalized medicine over the past few years and these can only continue through innovative technologies like those that will be born out of joint efforts between Shuwen and Abcam.”

John Baker, Abcam’s SVP Portfolio and Business Development said: “Abcam is pleased to establish this long-term collaborative strategic partnership, combining our unique capabilities to develop sensitive, highly-specific and validated antibodies with Shuwen’s proven track-record in the CDx space. Our work with Shuwen will focus on developing efficient and comprehensive solutions to advance clinical diagnostics and precision medicine, faster.”