IBL International Partners with Grifols to Develop Cutting-Edge Biomarker Panels
IBL International GmbH, a Tecan Group company renowned for its expertise in specialty diagnostics, has officially announced a strategic partnership with Grifols, a global healthcare leader with a legacy in plasma-derived medicines and advanced diagnostic solutions. This forward-looking collaboration aims to revolutionize the specialty diagnostics market by integrating IBL’s cutting-edge biomarker panel development capabilities with Grifols’ state-of-the-art Single Molecule Counting (SMC) platform, a breakthrough technology that enables ultra-sensitive, high-throughput analysis.
The newly formed alliance not only marks a significant milestone for both organizations but also reflects a broader industry trend toward precision diagnostics, tailored treatments, and smarter laboratory workflows. At the heart of the collaboration is a shared vision to close existing diagnostic gaps, optimize lab performance, and deliver faster, more accurate testing that meets the demands of modern healthcare systems and ultimately improves patient care.
Merging Strengths to Build the Future of Diagnostics
Under the terms of the agreement, IBL International will be responsible for developing specialized biomarker panels specifically designed to function seamlessly on Grifols’ random access SMC platform. These panels will address unmet clinical needs across a range of diagnostic areas, delivering high-value, sensitive tests for applications that are often underserved by traditional core lab technologies.
IBL will also oversee the manufacturing and supply of these biomarker panels under a comprehensive master supply agreement, ensuring that product development, commercialization, and distribution proceed under a unified and efficient framework. The result is an optimized supply chain model that supports consistent, scalable access to these innovative diagnostic tools.
This union brings together IBL’s deep knowledge of immunoassay development, particularly in the field of low-volume, high-complexity testing, and Grifols’ leadership in diagnostic instrumentation. The collaboration promises a comprehensive, fully integrated solution for laboratories seeking to expand their specialty testing capabilities while maintaining accuracy, speed, and operational efficiency.
Unlocking the Power of Random Access and Single Molecule Counting
Traditionally, specialty diagnostics—tests for rare diseases, hormonal imbalances, autoimmune disorders, or complex infections—are performed in isolated laboratory settings due to their complexity, sensitivity requirements, and low test volumes. These diagnostic modalities often fall outside the scope of high-throughput automated systems found in core labs. As a result, these tests typically require manual handling, batching of samples, and extended turnaround times, which can delay diagnoses and hinder clinical decision-making.
This collaboration aims to disrupt that paradigm by harnessing the capabilities of Grifols’ SMC platform—a highly sensitive, random access system that allows labs to process samples individually as they arrive. By eliminating the need for batching and enabling continuous, on-demand testing, this technology significantly enhances laboratory responsiveness and supports faster, more precise diagnostics.
Moreover, the SMC platform is designed for multiplexing, meaning that it can analyze multiple biomarkers from a single sample. When combined with IBL’s specialized assay development capabilities, this opens the door to powerful new diagnostic panels that deliver a wealth of clinical information with unparalleled sensitivity and speed.
A Shared Commitment to Healthcare Innovation
Mukta Acharya, Head of Tecan’s Life Sciences Business, emphasized the transformative nature of the partnership and its global ambitions.
“Partnering with Grifols allows us to scale healthcare innovation globally,” said Acharya. “By leveraging IBL’s entrepreneurial spirit and technological expertise, we’re addressing unmet needs in specialty diagnostics. Together, we’re creating solutions that empower laboratories and enhance patient journeys with reliable and sensitive diagnostics.”
This collaboration aligns with Tecan’s broader mission to improve lives through technology-enabled healthcare innovation. As a company that enables biomedical research, clinical diagnostics, and translational medicine, Tecan—through IBL—aims to fill critical diagnostic gaps by developing tools that are both scientifically rigorous and operationally viable within diverse laboratory environments.
Guillermo Marco-Gardoqui, Senior Vice President of Diagnostic Operations and Strategy at Grifols, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the strategic significance of the alliance.
“Our collaboration with IBL demonstrates our commitment to our strategic plan for developing innovative clinical diagnostic solutions,” Marco-Gardoqui stated. “By integrating IBL’s biomarker panels with the advanced capabilities of the SMC Platform, we are enhancing clinical workflows and addressing critical gaps in patient care.
Responding to Evolving Laboratory and Patient Needs
The biomarker panels being developed through this partnership are not arbitrary; they are grounded in customer feedback and market research to ensure they align with real-world diagnostic challenges. The move toward a random access, SMC-based system responds to the growing demand from clinical laboratories for flexible, reliable testing solutions that reduce time-to-result and enable more proactive patient management.
One of the most compelling aspects of this partnership is its potential to bring specialty testing out of the margins and into the core lab. Traditionally, many diagnostic laboratories have maintained separate workflows and instrumentation for specialized tests. This segmentation often results in increased operational costs, inefficiencies, and slower turnaround times. By developing biomarker panels that are compatible with random access, core lab-integrated systems, IBL and Grifols are effectively bridging the gap between specialty diagnostics and mainstream clinical workflows.
For patients, this means faster diagnoses, reduced time to treatment, and the potential for better health outcomes. For healthcare providers, it translates into streamlined operations, lower costs, and greater flexibility in test ordering and sample management.
Strengthening a Market-Leading Position in Specialty Diagnostics
IBL International, as part of the Tecan Group, brings decades of experience in diagnostic assay development. Known for its rigorous approach to assay specificity, sensitivity, and reproducibility, IBL has carved out a leadership position in the specialty diagnostics segment. The company’s focus on autoimmune, endocrinology, neurodegeneration, and infectious diseases aligns well with the complex diagnostic needs the SMC platform is designed to meet.
This partnership not only reinforces IBL’s strategic direction but also represents a natural evolution in its capabilities—moving from traditional ELISA-based offerings toward integrated solutions that embrace multiplexing and next-generation sensitivity.
Grifols, with its extensive global footprint and commitment to medical innovation, provides the ideal platform to amplify IBL’s reach. The company’s SMC technology, originally developed to support its leadership in plasma protein therapies, is now being repurposed and expanded to support a broader range of clinical diagnostic applications.
