ALK-Abello A/S (CPH:ALKB), a research-driven global pharmaceutical company focusing on allergy prevention, diagnosis and treatment, on Wednesday announced a partnership with China's Rellergen Biotech Inc, which grants ALK exclusive promotional rights to market Rellergen's Bio-IC microfluidic allergen diagnosis technology to more than 190 hospitals across China.

Bio-IC microfluidic allergen diagnosis technology is also referred to as a 'laboratory on a chip' because it offers fast, convenient and inexpensive diagnosis of specific allergen sensitivities using a blood sample in a disposable cartridge which allows screening against up to 20 different allergens at a time, including food allergies.

The Bio-IC system includes compact screening and analysis apparatus, allowing patients a swift diagnosis of their allergen sensitivities. This technology was originally developed by Taiwan-based Agnitio Biotech Inc and is being commercialised in China by its sister company Rellergen, which is in the process of setting up a local manufacturing facility.

Reportedly, this partnership allows ALK to broaden its product offering for allergists.

ALK has been present in China since 2007 and is the market's second largest allergy immunotherapy (AIT) company.

Bio-IC was approved as an in vitro device by authorities in China in 2015. Also, expanding the partnership into other markets is currently being discussed.