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Illumina and Labcorp Expand Collaboration for Enhanced Precision Oncology Testing

In a significant move to enhance the accessibility of precision oncology testing, Illumina, Inc. and Labcorp have announced the expansion of their collaboration. This partnership aims to leverage innovative applications of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies within the healthcare landscape. The goal is to provide patients with equitable access to cancer biomarker testing by introducing new distributed test offerings.

As part of this collaboration, Illumina and Labcorp will focus on generating compelling evidence to facilitate payer coverage for these advanced testing solutions, alongside the development of new tests designed to address the unmet needs within the oncology field.

Traci Pawlowski, the Vice President of Clinical Product Development at Illumina, remarked, "By deepening our collaboration, we'll continue to leverage the strengths of our respective teams to innovate and improve access to critical biomarker testing for patients with cancer." The partnership underscores the companies' shared vision to advance precision oncology through groundbreaking research and technology.

The new test development is expected to encompass advanced oncology research along with in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests aimed at comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Through these endeavors, the collaboration intends to bridge existing gaps in precision oncology testing, ensuring that healthcare systems can better cater to patient needs.

A noteworthy aspect of the partnership includes exploring the co-commercialization of Labcorp's FDA-authorized liquid biopsy assay, PGDx elio® plasma focus™ Dx, in conjunction with Illumina's FDA-approved TruSight™ Oncology Comprehensive for solid tumor profiling. These distributed IVD test kits are targeted at enhancing access to both tissue and liquid biopsy testing for hospitals and community health systems. This initiative is designed to bring advanced biomarker testing closer to patients, aiding in more specific diagnoses and identifying eligibility for targeted treatments and clinical trials.

The collaboration also aims to present pharmaceutical companies with unique opportunities for developing companion diagnostics (CDx), which would support both tissue and liquid biopsy needs for targeted therapy approvals. Dr. Shakti Ramkissoon, the Vice President and Medical Lead for Oncology at Labcorp, shared his insights, stating, "This collaboration reflects Labcorp and Illumina's shared commitment to improving cancer care through innovation and access."

By continually generating clinical evidence and expanding access to cutting-edge genomics, the two companies aim to deliver transformative testing solutions that foster timely and equitable cancer care. The ongoing joint efforts between Illumina and Labcorp have already led to significant collaborative research, including a study published in Frontiers of Oncology that evaluated over 7,600 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumor samples. The application of Illumina's CGP demonstrated its capabilities in detecting known and novel genomic features in NSCLC, with results indicating that CGP identified variants linked to existing targeted therapies or clinical trials in over 72% of patient tumors.

Since 2022, Illumina and Labcorp have co-authored eight publications within the oncology domain, in addition to 18 presentations at industry conferences. Pawlowski emphasizes the importance of extending access to advanced genomic testing, saying, "Expanding access to advanced genomic testing is essential to delivering personalized cancer care." Therefore, this collaboration between Labcorp and Illumina will accelerate innovation, ultimately bringing critical insights closer to patients and facilitating improved outcomes across diverse healthcare settings.

As they advance their collaborative journey, both Illumina and Labcorp remain committed to addressing the evolving needs of oncology care, assuring that patients receive the best possible support in their cancer treatment journeys.