The team said it will partner with startup Early Diagnostics to commercialize the assay, which integrates DNA methylation analysis and computational technology.
The Israeli firm recently announced the results of a multicenter study of its Bladder EpiCheck test in addition to netting €2.5 million in EU funding to develop a lung cancer assay.
The PCR-based methylation assay is intended to help predict the response of certain high-risk breast cancer patients to anthracycline-based chemotherapy.
Liquid biopsy companies are increasingly recognizing the value of analyzing not just circulating tumor DNA, but biomarkers like CTCs, methylation, and proteins.
The company's validation studies demonstrate that the assay has a 99 percent negative predictive value, which it believes will persuade physicians of its value.
The investment bank gave Exact Sciences' shares a price target of $30, and said it expects higher uptake of the Cologuard test and an increase in payor contracts.
