LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

Thermo Fisher and Oncocyte to Jointly Develop IVD Test Kits and Companion Diagnostic Tests in Precision Oncology

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 20 Jan 2022
Print article
Image: Ion Torrent Genexus System (Photo courtesy of Thermo Fisher Scientific)
Image: Ion Torrent Genexus System (Photo courtesy of Thermo Fisher Scientific)

Oncocyte Corporation (Irvine, CA, USA) has entered into a development and co-marketing agreement for two distributed in vitro diagnostic (IVD) assays on Thermo Fisher Scientific’s (Waltham, MA, USA) Ion Torrent Genexus System. The agreement also grants Oncocyte rights to develop future companion diagnostics on the Genexus System.

The first-of-its-kind Genexus System is designed to be used in any lab and delivers comprehensive next-generation sequencing (NGS) results in as little as a single day – the same timeframe as single-gene tests, such as immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays. The Genexus system’s flexible batching makes it an attractive solution for hospital labs with low and medium testing volume by reducing the need to wait several days until a lab has a sufficient number of samples to test. The integrated purification system and sequencer enable sample preparation and processing with only 20 minutes of hands-on time and minimal user intervention, allowing for the democratization of NGS to community and regional cancer centers globally.

Under the terms of the collaboration, Oncocyte will clinically validate Thermo Fisher’s existing Oncomine Comprehensive Assay Plus on the Genexus System, paving the way toward IVD clearance for use in tumor profiling and future submissions as a companion diagnostic. As an IVD, the >500-gene assay will initially be able to provide physicians with information about patients’ tumors in accordance with established clinical evidence, applicable clinical trials, and future approval may assist with the selection of targeted therapies. Oncocyte will also develop its 27-gene expression DetermaIO test as a distributed kit on the Genexus. DetermaIO may predict response to immuno-oncology therapies based on data demonstrating potential pan-cancer utility and improvement over current standard-of-care tests.

“As many as 44% of newly diagnosed cancer patients may be eligible for immuno-oncology therapies, with additional patients potentially benefiting from other precision medicines, yet many patients’ tumors are never sequenced to determine if they may benefit from these targeted treatments,1” said Ron Andrews, President and Chief Executive Officer of Oncocyte. “In order to increase the number of patients benefiting from precision medicine, we need to expand the number of IVDs and develop these tests on instruments that are designed to make sequencing-based testing simple and more accessible. We have developed our Determa menu to ultimately become regulated kits for distribution ex-US on an IVD instrument. Our collaboration with Thermo Fisher using the Genexus System’s end-to-end automation enables that vision.”

“Leveraging Thermo Fisher’s proven global capabilities and installed base will enable us to expand the availability of IVD assays beyond the US. market. The collaboration with Thermo Fisher, along with the resulting IVD test kits and potential companion diagnostic tests that we will seek to develop and market together, will play a key role in helping us improve patient outcomes worldwide,” added Andrews.

“Genomic testing can have a dramatic impact on patient care, especially when results are available quickly to support early clinical decision-making,” said Garret Hampton, President, clinical next-generation sequencing and oncology at Thermo Fisher Scientific. “Today, access to comprehensive testing depends on where you are treated. Our goal is to democratize genomic profiling so it is available to patients right away in more clinical settings – ultimately, everywhere patients receive treatment. By partnering with Oncocyte to validate and co-develop new IVD assays, we are working to expand access to genomic profiling and spread the benefits of precision medicine to more patients.”

Related Links:
Thermo Fisher Scientific 
Oncocyte Corporation

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Magnetic Bead Separation Modules
MAG and HEATMAG
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
New
Gold Member
Liquid Ready-To-Use Lp(a) Reagent
Lipoprotein (a) Reagent

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The 3D printed miniature ionizer is a key component of a mass spectrometer (Photo courtesy of MIT)

3D Printed Point-Of-Care Mass Spectrometer Outperforms State-Of-The-Art Models

Mass spectrometry is a precise technique for identifying the chemical components of a sample and has significant potential for monitoring chronic illness health states, such as measuring hormone levels... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The CAPILLARYS 3 DBS devices have received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Sebia)

Next Generation Instrument Screens for Hemoglobin Disorders in Newborns

Hemoglobinopathies, the most widespread inherited conditions globally, affect about 7% of the population as carriers, with 2.7% of newborns being born with these conditions. The spectrum of clinical manifestations... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The AI predictive model identifies the most potent cancer killing immune cells for use in immunotherapies (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

AI Predicts Tumor-Killing Cells with High Accuracy

Cellular immunotherapy involves extracting immune cells from a patient's tumor, potentially enhancing their cancer-fighting capabilities through engineering, and then expanding and reintroducing them into the body.... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The T-SPOT.TB test is now paired with the Auto-Pure 2400 liquid handling platform for accurate TB testing (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Integrated Solution Ushers New Era of Automated Tuberculosis Testing

Tuberculosis (TB) is responsible for 1.3 million deaths every year, positioning it as one of the top killers globally due to a single infectious agent. In 2022, around 10.6 million people were diagnosed... Read more