SOPHiA GENETICS and AstraZeneca Collaborate to Further Expand Global Access to Liquid Biopsy Testing

Rhea-AI Summary

SOPHiA GENETICS (Nasdaq: SOPH) and AstraZeneca have announced a partnership to expand global access to liquid biopsy testing. They aim to deploy MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM™ to 20 locations worldwide over the next 12 months. This liquid biopsy test, developed by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, offers a less invasive alternative to solid tumor testing.

The collaboration seeks to understand how liquid biopsy testing can complement or surpass solid tissue testing. A real-world evidence study will evaluate operational benefits, including result speed and data quality. Since April 2024, 14 leading healthcare institutions have adopted the application. The partnership is expected to generate valuable real-world data for advancing cancer research and drug development.

Positive

• Expansion of liquid biopsy testing to 20 global locations within 12 months
• Partnership with AstraZeneca to accelerate deployment of MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM™
• 14 leading healthcare institutions have already adopted the application since April 2024
• Potential to generate unique insights for cancer research and drug development through real-world data collection

Negative

• None.

Medical Research Analyst

This collaboration marks a significant advancement in liquid biopsy testing accessibility. The expansion to 20 global institutions over the next year could dramatically improve cancer diagnostics and monitoring, especially in underserved areas. The MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM™ platform combines sophisticated analytics with clinical expertise, potentially offering a less invasive alternative to traditional biopsies.

The real-world evidence study will likely provide valuable insights into the operational benefits of liquid biopsy testing, including result speed and data quality across various settings. This could lead to more efficient cancer management and personalized treatment strategies. However, it's important to note that while promising, the effectiveness of liquid biopsies compared to solid tissue testing in all cancer types and stages remains to be fully established.

Market Research Analyst

This partnership between SOPHiA GENETICS and AstraZeneca represents a strategic move in the growing liquid biopsy market. The global expansion to 20 institutions could significantly increase SOPHiA GENETICS' market presence and revenue streams. The collaboration with a pharmaceutical giant like AstraZeneca adds credibility and resources to the project.

The real-world data generated from this expansion could be invaluable for both companies, potentially leading to new drug development opportunities and improved cancer treatments. However, investors should consider the competitive landscape in liquid biopsy technology and potential regulatory hurdles in different global markets. The success of this expansion will likely depend on the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of the MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM™ platform compared to existing diagnostic methods.

The companies commit to bring cutting-edge liquid biopsy testing to 20 institutions globally over the next 12 months

BOSTON and ROLLE, Switzerland, Sept. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SOPHiA GENETICS (Nasdaq: SOPH), a cloud-native healthcare technology company and a global leader in data-driven medicine, today announced a new milestone in the global introduction of the liquid biopsy test MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM™, first announced in October 2023. Under a definitive partnership agreement with AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN), SOPHiA GENETICS will accelerate the deployment of MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM™ to 20 locations worldwide over the next 12 months.  

Liquid biopsy testing offers a complementary alternative to solid tumor testing, which is not always feasible due to insufficient tissue, low quality tissue, or the invasiveness of the procedure. The testing works by isolating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from blood plasma to uncover circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Isolating these DNA samples from a simple blood draw is less invasive than a traditional biopsy, helping to simplify patient monitoring and more quickly guide clinical decision-making.

MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM™ is a decentralized version of the highly validated liquid biopsy test developed by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), a top cancer treatment and research institution. The solution combines the sophisticated analytics, state-of-the-art algorithms, and decentralized, cloud-based offerings of the SOPHiA DDM™ Platform, with the scientific and clinical expertise of MSK in cancer genomics to provide a best-in-class liquid biopsy solution.

By increasing availability of MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM™, SOPHiA GENETICS and AstraZeneca aim to understand how liquid biopsy testing can complement solid tissue testing, and in some cases, provide greater benefit for labs and patients. This understanding will help support the case for broad global implementation. Additionally, through a dedicated real-world evidence study, researchers will be able to evaluate the operational benefits of liquid biopsy testing, including the speed of results and the ability of users to consistently achieve high-quality data in a variety of laboratory settings.

"Our collaboration with AstraZeneca has the potential to dramatically accelerate global access to liquid biopsy testing, especially in underserved populations, which in turn could contribute to reshaping diagnostics, treatment, and monitoring of cancer cases throughout the world. Their support is instrumental to making this improved access a reality," said Philippe Menu, M.D., Ph.D, Chief Medical and Chief Product Officer, SOPHiA GENETICS. "Additionally, the breadth and depth of real-world data that we will generate through the implementation of this decentralized liquid biopsy testing platform on a global scale will be unprecedented, providing novel avenues to accelerating cancer research."

Since launching MSK-ACCESS powered with SOPHiA DDM™ in April 2024, a first wave of 14 leading healthcare institutions worldwide have signed on to piloting and adopting the application. These institutions include renowned cancer centers and reference laboratories such as:

BioReference® and Tennessee Oncology in the U.S.; Oncohelix in Canada; Dasa in Brazil; Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg in Germany; Stavanger University Hospital in Norway; IUCT Oncopole in France; Synnovis and South West Genomic Laboratory Hub, operating out of North Bristol NHS Trust in the U.K.; Sofiva Genomics in Taiwan; Syndicate Bio in Nigeria; A.O.U. Senese in Italy; and Karkinos Healthcare and Strand Life Sciences in India.

The partnership with AstraZeneca will further catalyze the adoption of MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM™.

As more hospitals and labs go into routine, SOPHiA GENETICS and AstraZeneca, in collaboration with leading cancer institutes within the SOPHiA GENETICS community, will generate a vast set of real-world data from patients around the world with a variety of cancers. This data set has the potential to generate unique insights towards advancing cancer research and drug development.

"We are deeply committed to bringing liquid biopsy expertise to labs and institutions throughout the globe at an expedited pace, and are confident this rollout will further support access to testing and aid in providing data-driven treatment options to patients around the world," said Kristina Rodnikova, Head of Global Oncology Diagnostics, AstraZeneca.

The deployment of MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM™ was announced in October 2023 as part of a collaboration between SOPHiA GENETICS, AstraZeneca and MSK. Together, the three companies are working to combat global health inequities and advance cancer research.

For more information on SOPHiA GENETICS, visit SOPHiAGENETICS.COM, or connect on LinkedIn. 

About SOPHiA GENETICS
SOPHiA GENETICS (Nasdaq: SOPH) is a cloud-native healthcare technology company on a mission to expand access to data-driven medicine by using AI to deliver world-class care to patients with cancer and rare disorders across the globe. It is the creator of the SOPHiA DDM™ Platform, which analyzes complex genomic and multimodal data and generates real-time, actionable insights for a broad global network of hospital, laboratory, and biopharma institutions.  For more information, visit SOPHiAGENETICS.COM and connect with us on LinkedIn. 

SOPHiA GENETICS products are for Research Use Only and not for use in diagnostic procedures unless specified otherwise. The information in this press release is about products that may or may not be available in different countries and, if applicable, may or may not have received approval or market clearance by a governmental regulatory body for different indications for use. Please contact support@sophiagenetics.com to obtain the appropriate product information for your country of residence. 

Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) has institutional financial interests related to SOPHiA GENETICS.

SOPHiA GENETICS Forward-Looking Statements: 
This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy, products, and technology, as well as plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on our management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various factors, including those described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. No assurance can be given that such future results will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update these forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which such statements are based, unless required to do so by applicable law. No representations or warranties (expressed or implied) are made about the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements. 

 

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FAQ

What is the purpose of SOPHiA GENETICS and AstraZeneca's collaboration announced on September 10, 2024?

The collaboration aims to expand global access to liquid biopsy testing by deploying MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM™ to 20 locations worldwide over the next 12 months.

How does the liquid biopsy test MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM™ work?

The test isolates cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from blood plasma to uncover circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), offering a less invasive alternative to traditional solid tumor biopsies.

What are the potential benefits of the SOPHiA GENETICS (SOPH) and AstraZeneca partnership for cancer research?

The partnership is expected to generate a vast set of real-world data from patients with various cancers, potentially providing unique insights to advance cancer research and drug development.

How many healthcare institutions have adopted MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM™ since its launch in April 2024?

Since its launch in April 2024, 14 leading healthcare institutions worldwide have signed on to pilot and adopt the MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM™ application.