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Thursday, June 23 2022 - 08:00
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Illumina Launches Research Test Codeveloped with Merck to Unlock Deeper Insights into the Tumor Genome
SAN DIEGO, June 22, 2022 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --

  -- New assay brings validated HRD technology from Myriad Genetics to 
     the Illumina TruSightTM Oncology 500, a single, comprehensive 
     pan-cancer test to identify key variants critical for cancer 
     development and progression

Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN), a global leader in DNA sequencing and 
array-based technologies, today announced the launch of a research test, 
codeveloped with Merck (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada). The 
research test builds upon Illumina's commitment to broadly enable comprehensive 
genomic profiling and enhance research critical to realizing precision medicine 
in oncology. The test adds assessment of a new genomic signature to the 
distributed, market leading TruSightTM Oncology 500 assay. It will be available 
globally, excluding the United States and Japan and will enable researchers to 
unlock deeper insights about the tumor genome by identifying genetic mutations 
used in the evaluation of homologous recombination deficiency (HRD).

Photo - 
https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1843487/Illumina_research_test_codeveloped_with_Merck.jpg


"HRD status has emerged as an important biomarker in tumors that harbor high 
levels of DNA damage, such as ovarian, breast, prostate, and pancreatic 
cancers," said Phil Febbo, MD, chief medical officer at Illumina. "With one 
sample and one test, TruSight Oncology 500 HRD assay provides labs with 
comprehensive, accurate, sensitive results that can greatly enhance our 
understanding of the genomic nature of a tumor."

The Research Use Only TruSight Oncology 500 HRD test is a next-generation 
sequencing (NGS)–based assay that harnesses the power of Illumina NGS 
technology and validated HRD technology from Myriad Genetics (NASDAQ: MYGN), 
enabling labs to accurately detect genomic instability and analyze more than 
500 genes simultaneously, including those relevant to HRD status. HRD is a 
genomic signature used to describe when cells are unable to effectively repair 
double-stranded DNA breaks. When this occurs, cells rely on alternative, 
error-prone DNA repair mechanisms, which may lead to genomic instability and, 
eventually, tumor formation.

The Molecular Pathology Diagnostic Unit at the Technical University of Munich 
participated in the TSO 500 HRD early access program in order to compare the 
results of Illumina's prototype TSO 500 HRD assay to a validated reference 
standard, from Myriad Genetics.

"Our institution is delighted by the release of TruSight Oncology 500 HRD and 
we are very happy with our results from the early access program," said Nicole 
Pfarr, head of the Molecular Pathology Diagnostic Unit, Technische Universität 
München. "We look forward to using this assay routinely in our lab for future 
projects. Combining HRD assessment with TruSight Oncology 500 in one workflow 
will unlock the most comprehensive view of the tumor genome, while maintaining 
efficiency in the lab."

Large-cohort studies show that comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) has the 
potential to identify relevant genetic alterations in up to 90% of samples. A 
single, comprehensive assay to assess a wide range of biomarkers uses less 
sample and returns results more quickly compared to multiple, iterative tests. 
As a kitted, distributable solution, this test helps to remove barriers for 
internalization of CGP and HRD testing, so that labs of all sizes can offer 
this powerful test.

"We are pleased to reach this first milestone with Illumina to commercialize an 
assay for HRD assessment that will aid in advancing clinical research and 
broaden access to clinical trials," said Dr. Eric H. Rubin, senior vice 
president, early-stage development, clinical oncology, Merck Research 
Laboratories.

The research test is expected to begin shipping globally (excluding the US and 
Japan) in August. In addition, as part of the partnership announced in 
September 2021 ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3572390-1&h=157973970&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.illumina.com%2Fcompany%2Fnews-center%2Fpress-releases%2F2021%2Fd9aab782-eeed-46df-9654-eb1f3b045dd6.html&a=announced+in+September+2021 
), work is ongoing to develop a new HRD companion diagnostic (CDx) test for the 
EU and the UK to aid in the identification of ovarian cancer patients with 
positive HRD status.

This partnership expands on Illumina's broad portfolio of oncology partnerships 
with industry leaders, with the united goal of advancing cancer diagnostics and 
precision medicine. 

About TruSight Oncology 500

TSO 500 is a Research Use Only pan-cancer assay that enables Comprehensive 
Genomic Profiling ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3572390-1&h=3345520156&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3280852-1%26h%3D4170346631%26u%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.illumina.com%252Fcgp%26a%3DComprehensive%2BGenomic%2BProfiling.&a=Comprehensive+Genomic+Profiling. 
). Designed to identify known and emerging tumor biomarkers across 523 genes, 
TSO 500 utilizes both DNA and RNA from tumor samples to identify key variants 
critical for cancer development and progression, such as small DNA variants, 
fusions, and splice variants. In addition, the assay assesses key 
immune-oncology biomarkers, such as Tumor Mutational Burden (TMB), 
Microsatellite Instability (MSI) and Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD). 
Due to its comprehensive biomarker content, labs can consolidate multiple 
single-gene or small-panel workflows into a single assay, saving biopsy 
specimen and time. Click here to learn more ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3572390-1&h=882357097&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3280852-1%26h%3D3744659126%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fcts.businesswire.com%252Fct%252FCT%253Fid%253Dsmartlink%2526url%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.illumina.com%25252Fproducts%25252Fby-brand%25252Ftrusight-oncology-500.html%25253Fscid%25253D2021-269ECL4849%2526esheet%253D52416270%2526newsitemid%253D20210422005392%2526lan%253Den-US%2526anchor%253Dclick%252Bhere.%2526index%253D2%2526md5%253D9395b56eeca0761f5d095020833202dc%26a%3Dclick%2Bhere.&a=Click+here+to+learn+more. 
).

Use of forward-looking statements

This release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and 
uncertainties, including the expectation for lower costs related to the storing 
and managing of genomic data costs. Among the important factors that could 
cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking 
statements are: (i) challenges inherent in developing and launching new 
products and services; (ii) our ability to deploy new products, services, and 
applications, and to expand the markets for our technology platforms; and (iii) 
the acceptance by customers of our newly launched products, which may or may 
not meet our and their expectations once deployed, together with other factors 
detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including 
our most recent filings on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, or in information disclosed in 
public conference calls, the date and time of which are released beforehand. We 
undertake no obligation, and do not intend, to update these forward-looking 
statements, to review or confirm analysts' expectations, or to provide interim 
reports or updates on the progress of the current quarter.

About Illumina

Illumina is improving human health by unlocking the power of the genome. Our 
focus on innovation has established us as a global leader in DNA sequencing and 
array-based technologies, serving customers in the research, clinical and 
applied markets. Our products are used for applications in the life sciences, 
oncology, reproductive health, agriculture and other emerging segments. To 
learn more, visit www.illumina.com and connect with us on Twitter ( 
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).

Investors:
Salli Schwartz
858.291.6421
IR@illumina.com

Media:
Adi Raval
US: 202.629.8172
PR@illumina.com

Source - Illumina, Inc.