Thermo Fisher and Lilly collaborate on Companion Diagnostic development

Thermo Fisher Scientific and Eli Lilly and Company are to collaborate on the development of a companion diagnostic that will use FDA approved, next-generation sequencing-based Oncomine Dx Target Test to identify certain non-small cell lung cancer and thyroid cancer patients who may be treated with Lilly’s investigational therapy, LOXO-292. The test would be used with patients whose tumors harbour a rearranged during transfection (RET) alteration.
Thermo Fisher Scientific’s EVP and COO, Mark Stevenson, said: “We are pleased to enter into this agreement with Lilly and leverage our Oncomine platform as a means to quickly identify cancer patients who may benefit from this breakthrough therapy, even in cases of limited sample availability. We are committed to working with our global pharmaceutical partners to help bring forth next-generation sequencing-based companion diagnostics and best-in-class therapies that can have a profound impact on treating cancer patients.”
Lilly Oncology president, Anne White, said: “One of the biggest barriers to realizing the full power of precision medicine in oncology is having access to high-quality testing, such as next-generation sequencing-based tests, that identify a broad range of clinically actionable alterations, can be performed locally and allow treating institutions to participate in this important step in the evolving treatment paradigm. With this agreement, we believe that more patients will gain access to high-quality tumor profiling, identifying those with RET alterations potentially suitable for LOXO-292 therapy, in addition to other alterations suitable for treatment with other therapies.”