AstraZeneca

ArcherDx will develop sequencing-based circulating tumor DNA assays for use in AstraZeneca's recently launched Phase III MERMAID-1 trial of durvalumab (Imfinzi).

The approval is based on results of the PROfound trial, which included men with mutations in BRCA1/2 or ATM, and 12 other genes associated with the HRR pathway.

The agency reviewed data showing that HRD-positive patients on the olaparib/bevacizumab combination had median progression-free survival of 37.2 months.

The collaboration includes setting up a new testing laboratory that will investigate the use of alternative chemical reagents for test kits.

Myriad has partnered with Japanese firm SRL, a subsidiary of Miraca Group, to commercialize its BRACAnalysis Diagnostic System in Japan.

The company filed the application based on the PAOLA-1 data, which showed HRD-positive ovarian cancer patients saw pronounced benefit from the combo.

The partners will extend the lung cancer biomarker study to countries in and outside Europe, and see if liquid biopsy could offer benefits to tissue-based testing.

AstraZeneca and Merck also announced they have filed for approval of Lynparza in patients who have mutations in more than a dozen homologous recombination repair genes.

The drug is approved as a maintenance treatment for platinum-responsive metastatic pancreatic cancer patients with germline BRCA1/2 mutations.