Source BioScience to provide cancer testing service for AstraZeneca

Source BioScience is to provide a diagnostic genetic testing service for UK lung cancer patients as part of a new agreement with AstraZeneca.

The Nottingham-based science firm is to work with the pharmaceuticals company to help NHS physicians genetically determine whether patients’ tumours are susceptible to tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapies.

This genetic knowledge will allow clinicians to make a more informed choice on treatment regimes, with results from tests to be sent back to hospitals from Source BioScience within five days.

Dr Nick Ash, managing director at Source BioScience, stated that this agreement will help to achieve better patient outcomes while making NHS treatments more cost-effective.

He added: “It is our strategy to expand the range of diagnostic tests we provide and also migrate our extensive experience in genetic analysis into diagnostic testing for healthcare.”

Last month, the company reported its first ever annual profit in its 2009 financial breakdown, achieving a before-tax surplus of 200,000 pounds for the year.