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Genomic Health Brings Liquid Biopsy Test for Stage IV Cancer

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In a bid to gain traction in the emerging liquid biopsy market, Genomic Health, Inc. recently launched its next-generation sequencing blood-based mutational panel – Oncotype SEQ Liquid Select. Notably, the launch was within management’s scheduled time period.

This panel test can identify actionable genomic alterations of a select number of 17 genes to facilitate personalized treatment of patients suffering from stage four solid tumor cancer including lung, breast, colon, melanoma, ovarian and gastrointestinal stromal cell tumor.

Interestingly, Oncotype SEQ is a non-invasive liquid biopsy test through which the company has successfully expanded its Oncotype IQ Genomic Intelligence portfolio.

Moreover, Oncotype SEQ can assess genomic markers that are included in National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines or associated with sensitivity or resistance to relevant FDA-approved therapies for solid tumor treatment.

Traditionally, biopsies involve invasive surgical procedures through which tissue samples are extracted from a patient’s tumor. However, many a times it is not possible to obtain such samples as the patient is inoperable or simply because of the location of the tumor in a risky area, particularly in case of lung cancer.

So a non-invasive approach like liquid biopsy, where a simple extraction of blood sample can serve the purpose, has become the ‘Holy Grail’ of cancer treatment. Genomic’s Oncotype SEQ is one such desirable liquid biopsy assay, the first of its kind to be launched by the company.

Initially, Genomic will launch this test in select clinics for treating stage IV lung cancer patients. Management believes that Oncotype SEQ will cater to more than 350,000 patients who suffer from late-stage cancer every year in the U.S.

With successful analytical validation results for this test being submitted for presentation, Genomic launched a global, multi-center clinical concordance study as part of the company's goal to establish further evidence to support reimbursement. Further, Oncotype SEQ will be performed at Genomic Health's CLIA-certified laboratory using the company's proprietary cfDNA sequencing platform.

Also, as per management, Genomic currently leads the molecular diagnostics industry by transforming cancer outcomes from more than 600,000 patients. With the present growth opportunity in breast cancer, prostate cancer as well as international markets along with the launch of liquid biopsy test, Genomic is successfully diversifying its growth drivers and positioning itself to leverage an unmatched global commercial channel with the introduction of products.

With this goal in view, the company is currently engaged in initiating validation work for a second liquid biopsy test, which we believe will expand its Oncotype IQ portfolio.

Other notable molecular diagnostics providers that have increased focus in blood-based cancer screening include Illumina Inc. (ILMN - Free Report) , which recently formed Grail (a new company) for this purpose only. Meanwhile, a few others are also striving to foray into the multi-million molecular diagnostics market which will intensify competition for Genomic.

Genomic Health currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), while Illumina carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Some better-ranked medical stocks are Baxter International Inc. (BAX - Free Report) and LeMaitre Vascular, Inc. (LMAT - Free Report) . While Baxter holds a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), LeMaitre carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

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