RNA-seq

FBB Biomed, cofounded by a diagnostics industry veteran, is attempting to develop a blood RNA test to predict COVID-19 disease severity.

The firm has collected important health economic evidence for its clinical lung cancer assay and is building evidence for other products in additional cancer types.

If the results are validated, investigators believe the method could help diagnose patients without the need for a needle biopsy and with fewer false positives.

Fulgent and its China-based joint venture  are  working on a clinical NGS-based  test that  it says will have better  sensitivity than RT-PCR-based kits.

The company believes results from a new study help demonstrate the clinical value of its targeted RNA-seq method, an add-on to its DNA hereditary cancer tests.

The company's approach involves using both fluorescence in situ hybridization and next-generation sequencing to provide clinicians with information.

Formerly called OncoCell MDx, the Royal Oak, Michigan-based firm aims to complete a validation study for the prostate cancer risk assay within the next two months.