NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Australia's Sonic Healthcare said today it has signed an agreement to offer Contextual Genomics' Find-It solid tumor test through its international network of laboratories.
Find-It is a next-generation sequencing-based multiplex assay that screens for 90 mutations across 29 known cancer genes and analyzes eight exons of three genes to help clinicians select the best treatment for a specific patient, recognize acquired drug-resistant mutations, and determine prognostic and diagnostic implications for patient care.
Under the terms of the deal, Sonic will offer the test through its labs in Australia and other countries, and will gain access to Contextual's proprietary bioinformatics molecular analysis technology and quality control systems. Contextual will have access to Sonic's federated structure of medically led practices.
Additional terms were not disclosed.
"There are a growing number of new mutation-targeted cancer treatments only accessible through DNA-based testing, which has not been widely available," Contextual Chief Medical Officer David Huntsman said in a statement. "Sonic's global presence will broaden access to quality DNA-based diagnostics. This timely access to DNA diagnostics can lead to better outcomes for patients diagnosed with cancer."