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Roche, Illumina partner to broaden access to genomic testing

February 2020—Roche has entered into a 15-year, nonexclusive partnership with Illumina to broaden the adoption of distributable next-generation-sequencing–based testing in oncology. The agreement brings together the capabilities of both companies to broaden adoption of NGS in cancer care.

As part of the agreement, Illumina will grant Roche rights to develop and distribute in vitro diagnostic tests on Illumina’s NextSeq 550Dx system and on its future portfolio of diagnostic sequencing systems. Roche will in turn collaborate with Illumina to complement Illumina’s comprehensive pan-cancer assay TruSight Oncology 500 with new companion diagnostic claims. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Under the IVD terms of the agreement, Roche will develop, manufacture, and commercialize Avenio IVD tests for tissue and blood for use on Illumina’s NextSeq 550Dx. Illumina will continue to sell the NextSeq 550Dx systems and core sequencing consumables. Under the companion diagnostic terms of the agreement, Roche and Illumina will develop and pursue CDx claims on TruSight Oncology 500 for both existing and pipeline Roche oncology targeted therapies on the NextSeq 550Dx. Illumina will lead the development and regulatory approval process and continue to manufacture, supply, and commercialize TruSight Oncology 500. Roche will support the development of the claims and regulatory filings.

Siemens adds fentanyl assay to its menu

Siemens Healthineers is distributing the Ark Fentanyl Assay, manufactured by Ark Diagnostics. The assay extends the detection window to provide the information clinicians need to triage their patients more appropriately.