LabCorp (Burlington, NC) and Siemens Healthcare (Deerfield, Ill.) have entered in to a non-exclusive agreement to pursue co-development of diagnostics tests relating to companion diagnostics, metabolic syndrome, oncology, and diabetes, both companies recently announced. Developing companion diagnostics is increasingly a strategic focus for LabCorp, according to company officials. Earlier this year, the companion acquired Tandem Labs Inc. (Salt Lake City), a bioanalytical contract research organization working with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies on discovery, preclinical, and clinical drug development programs. At the time, LabCorp spokesman Erik Lindblom indicated that the acquisition was more of a strategic move to develop and bring companion diagnostics to market rather than expanding the clinical trials business.