21st Aug 2014 06:36
LONDON (Alliance News) - AstraZeneca PLC said Thursday it has partnered with Illumina Inc to develop a gene-sequencing platform for companion diagnostic tests, applicable across AstraZeneca's oncology portfolio.
AstraZeneca plans to use Illumina's technology for a diagnostic test in studies for one of its investigational oncology compounds, which AstraZeneca said could speed up the clinical trial process.
Illumina's technology allows gene sequencing that is faster and cheaper than traditional methods, AstraZeneca said. It will be used to screen a panel of several gene sequences, scanning for possible genetic variants, rather than specified mutations from a single tumour sample.
This information can then be used to help predict which patients will respond to which treatments. It will go through appropriate regulation, AstraZeneca said.
"Our aim is for doctors to be able to use these tests to prescribe the right medicines for the right patients ? bringing benefits to healthcare professionals, payers and patients alike," said Ruth March, vice president of personalised healthcare and biomarkers at AstraZeneca, in a statement.
By Hana Stewart-Smith; [email protected]; @HanaSSAllNews
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