18 June 2013 - 18 June 2013 - Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc, part of German conglomerate Siemens AG (ETR:SIE), said Monday it had partnered with Janssen Pharmaceutica NV to develop and market a companion diagnostic test for the latter's early-stage heart failure drug.

The compound targets auto-antibodies directed against the human β1-adrenergic receptor (β1-AR).

As part of the deal, the companies will design immunoassay-based companion diagnostic tests for use in Janssen's clinical trials. Simultaneously, Siemens will develop and validate an in-vitro diagnostic test as a companion diagnostic for its partner's therapeutic product. The companion diagnostic test will be marketed on Siemens' central laboratory automated immunoassay systems.

Janssen Pharmaceutica NV is a unit of US US Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ).