Cancer Genetics will partner with AstraZeneca to provide biomarker and molecular-based testing

RUTHERFORD, N.J.—Cancer Genetics Inc., which focuses on DNA-based cancer diagnostics, has been selected by AstraZeneca CAMCAR, S.A., a division of multinational pharmaceutical and biologics company AstraZeneca, serving Central American and Caribbean countries, to provide biomarker-based diagnostic testing for cancer. Under the terms of the agreement, CGI will perform complex testing for diagnosis and prognosis of cancer patients in Central America and the Caribbean. CGI will work in close conjunction with AZ-CAMCAR on exploring expansion opportunities into additional geographic territories, further oncology categories, and into select oncology trials.

 

"We chose to partner with Cancer Genetics in this endeavor because of their experience in biomarker-based diagnostic testing and their commitment to delivering timely and accurate results to healthcare professionals and patients," said Rodrigo Fernandez, country president of AstraZeneca CAMCAR, S.A.

 

"Partnering with AstraZeneca further strengthens our ability to touch the lives of patients globally," said Panna Sharma, CEO of Cancer Genetics, Inc. "We believe our ability to provide accurate, state-of-the-art biomarker-based testing was a key factor in AstraZeneca's decision to partner with us, and serves as a testament to the growing global awareness of the value of our brand. We are committed to positively impacting cancer care globally, and this relationship serves as another major milestone in fulfilling that mission."

 

The relationship is expected to concentrate on multiple cancer categories, with lung cancer being an initial area of focus. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), lung cancer is the third most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths in the Americas, with more than 300,000 new cases and nearly 250,000 deaths each year. PAHO expects the number of new cases and deaths from lung cancer to double in Latin America by 2030.

 

Cancer Genetics considers the company to be ‘an emerging leader’ in DNA-based cancer diagnostics, servicing some of the most prestigious medical institutions in the world. Its tests target cancers that are difficult to diagnose and predict treatment outcomes, including hematological, urogenital and HPV-associated cancers. The company also offers a comprehensive range of non-proprietary oncology- focused tests and laboratory services that provide critical genomic information to healthcare professionals, as well as biopharma and biotech companies. Cancer Genetics’ state-of-the-art reference lab is focused entirely on maintaining clinical excellence and is both CLIA certified and CAP accredited and has licensure from several states including New York State. It maintains research collaborations with major cancer centers such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering, The Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic and the National Cancer Institute.

 

Dr. Raju S.K. Chaganti is the company’s founder and served as the chairman of the board of directors until January 2014. Dr. Chaganti is an internationally recognized leader in cancer cytogenetics and molecular genetics. He is a co-discoverer of patents for the cloning of two genes rearranged in lymphoma translocations, BCL6 and BCL8, and an additional two patents for the detection of translocations for the FISH classification of kidney cancers. Dr. Chaganti currently is the incumbent of the William Snee E. Chair at the Memorial Sloan- Kettering Cancer Center, where he is on the faculty of the Department of Medicine and Cell Biology Program. He is a professor and the Gernster Sloan- Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Cornell University Medical College, New York, New York. He was the chief of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s cytogenetics service, which he established in 1976 as one of the earliest genetically based cancer diagnostic services in the country.

 

Source: Cancer Genetics