Partnership to Develop Liquid Biopsy Assays

Medical Research Charity LifeArc (previously known as MRC Technology/MRCT)), a medical research charity and molecular diagnostics company Biocartis Group NV, are collaborating to jointly develop selected molecular diagnostic tests for use on Biocartis’ fully automated Idylla™ platform. Under the terms of the agreement LifeArc will act as a development contractor, whereas Biocartis will be responsible for the commercialisation of the tests under its own label. Financial details of the partnership were not disclosed.

A liquid biopsy test for monitoring metastatic breast cancer patients for resistance to hormone therapy, is the first development goal for the partnership and an important initial step in the breast cancer menu that Biocartis is developing.

Michael A. Dalrymple, PhD, MBA, Director, Diagnostics & Science Foresight at LifeArc said: “We are excited to partner with Biocartis on test development for the Idylla™ platform, which we believe can impact the way molecular diagnostics for oncology is done today. This resonates well with our focus of translating medical innovation into viable and accessible treatments and diagnostics that patients can benefit from. Breast cancer has an enormous impact on many lives every day and we see this assay as an important project to start our partnership with.”

Biocartis offers three liquid biopsy assays (available for research use only) within its melanoma and colorectal cancer menu and last month launched a CE-marked IVD test for lung cancer.