Partnering will form BioServe-Europe, a firm based in Milan, Italy providing a range of molecular services. US-based BioServe decided to expand in Europe after a smaller deal, focused on the NutriGeneCode test, with NGC identified strong demand for its molecular services in the region.

“There is simply a lack of high-quality genomic validation services and tissue samples to support the European research market", said Paolo Cremascoli, president and CEO of Italy-based NGC.

Cremascoli said working with BioServe has been “overwhelmingly positive” and he expects the new services to be well received. In particular, the partners expect genomic services will be used to process and validate results from in vitro tests used in the move to personalised medicines.

BioServe offers preclinical molecular services spanning genotyping, DNA and RNA extractions, sequencing and DNA synthesis. The company was founded in 1989 and claims it works with nearly every major biopharm firm.

European expansion

In April BioServe and NGC entered into a deal focused on the NutriGeneCode test. This is a saliva test for identifying 50 of the most significant single nucleotide mutations (SNPs) involved in cellular aging. This gave BioServe confidence its services are in demand in Europe.

Establishing BioServe-Europe adds to the US-based company’s operations in Beltsville, Maryland, US and Hyderabad, India. In 2007 BioServe signed a deal with Merck Specialities Private Limited, a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, to market its products and services in India.