Sophia Genetics has announced a new partnership agreement with AstraZeneca, which will accelerate the deployment of the liquid biopsy test MSK-ACCESS powered with SOPHiA DDM to 20 locations worldwide over the next 12 months.
Liquid biopsy testing offers a complementary alternative to solid tumour testing, which is not always feasible due to insufficient tissue, low-quality tissue, or the invasiveness of the procedure. The testing works by isolating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from blood plasma to uncover circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA). Isolating these DNA samples from a simple blood draw is less invasive than a traditional biopsy, helping to simplify patient monitoring and more quickly guide clinical decision-making.
MSK-ACCESS powered with SOPHiA DDM is a decentralised version of the highly validated liquid biopsy test developed by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), a top cancer treatment and research institution. The solution combines the sophisticated analytics, state-of-the-art algorithms, and decentralised, cloud-based offerings of the SOPHiA DDM platform, with the scientific and clinical expertise of MSK in cancer genomics to provide a best-in-class liquid biopsy solution.
By increasing availability of the test, Sophia Genetics and AstraZeneca aim to understand how liquid biopsy testing can complement solid tissue testing, and in some cases, provide greater benefit for laboratories and patients. This understanding will help support the case for broad global implementation. Additionally, through a dedicated real-world evidence study, researchers will be able to evaluate the operational benefits of liquid biopsy testing, including the speed of results and the ability of users to consistently achieve high-quality data in a variety of laboratory settings.
"Our collaboration with AstraZeneca has the potential to dramatically accelerate global access to liquid biopsy testing, especially in underserved populations, which in turn could contribute to reshaping diagnostics, treatment, and monitoring of cancer cases throughout the world. Their support is instrumental to making this improved access a reality," said Philippe Menu MD PhD, Chief Medical and Chief Product Officer, Sophia Genetics. "Additionally, the breadth and depth of real-world data that we will generate through the implementation of this decentralised liquid biopsy testing platform on a global scale will be unprecedented, providing novel avenues to accelerating cancer research."
Since launching MSK-ACCESS powered with SOPHiA DDM in April 2024, a first wave of 14 leading healthcare institutions worldwide have signed on to piloting and adopting the application.
As more hospitals and labs go into routine, Sophia Genetics and AstraZeneca, in collaboration with leading cancer institutes within the Sophia Genetics community, will generate a vast set of real-world data from patients around the world with a variety of cancers. This data set has the potential to generate unique insights towards advancing cancer research and drug development.
"We are deeply committed to bringing liquid biopsy expertise to labs and institutions throughout the globe at an expedited pace and are confident this rollout will further support access to testing and aid in providing data-driven treatment options to patients around the world," said Kristina Rodnikova, Head of Global Oncology Diagnostics, AstraZeneca.