Response Genetics Enters Next Generation Sequencing with Lung Cancer Panel from Knight Cancer Institute

Response Genetics, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA, USA) has entered an exclusive commercial agreement with the Knight Diagnostic Laboratories (Portland, OR, USA), part of the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), for a proprietary next generation sequencing (NGS) panel for lung cancer. The panel provides full sequencing of the actionable genes for lung cancer rather than detection only of so-called hot spots.

The collaboration will leverage Response Genetics' national sales force and expects to begin marketing the panel immediately. With this panel, Response Genetics now offers oncologists and patients analyses of actionable genetic markers across 6 different tumor types and 4 different testing modalities. All of these tests will leverage Response Genetics' state-of-the-art reporting that gives physicians easy to understand, actionable information for patients.

"We are excited to announce this strategic relationship with the Knight Diagnostic Laboratories as it marks the entry of Response Genetics into next-generation sequencing," said Thomas A. Bologna, Chairman and CEO of Response Genetics; "We believe Knight Diagnostic Laboratories' NGS lung cancer panel represents the best in class and will further strengthen our unique Academic Profile for lung. The two together make for a differentiated product offering that includes gene mutation, amplification, and translocation data, as well as RNA expression-based data. We believe the use of multiple technology platforms enables us to provide truly comprehensive, actionable information for cancer therapy selection. Moreover, our approach offers physicians a choice of options so that they can optimize turnaround time, cost, and other considerations on a patient-by-patient basis, rather than accepting a singular methodology or a ‘one size fits all’ test. The addition of NGS to our portfolio further illustrates our patient-centric commitment to therapy selection based on the unique molecular characteristics of each patient's tumor."

"The collaboration with Response Genetics allows the Knight Diagnostic Laboratories an opportunity to offer our next-gen lung panel nationwide," said Christopher Corless, MD, PhD, professor of Pathology and Chief Medical Officer of the Knight Diagnostic Laboratories. "With the reach of Response Genetics' commercial operation, we can maximize patient access to a thoughtfully curated panel of actionable markers. The selection of Knight Cancer Institute by Response Genetics, one of the leading commercial reference laboratories in the molecular diagnostic space, validates the years of effort that we put into the development of our innovative offering. Together we can deliver significant clinical value with a very favorable cost profile."

Related Links:
Response Genetics
Knight Diagnostic Laboratories