Agilent test approved for use as Keytruda companion diagnostic

Agilent Technologies has announced that its Dako PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx test has been approved for use as a companion diagnostic for Keytruda.

The test can now be used to determine PD-L1 expression status to inform the first-line treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with Keytruda, an anti-PD-1 therapy manufactured by Merck Sharp and Dohme.

It means the assay can now be used to identify previously untreated patients with metastatic NSCLC expressing high levels of PD-L1, who may therefore be most likely to benefit from a Keytruda prescription, rather than chemotherapy.

Lung cancer is currently the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with NSCLC accounting for 80 percent of all cases of the disease.

Jacob Thaysen, president of Agilent's diagnostics and genomics group, said: "Pathologists recognise the need for validated tests, and our companion diagnostic gives them a highly accurate tool to inform oncologists on PD-L1 expression."

The PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx test was developed by Agilent in partnership with Merck Sharp and Dohme.

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