NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Molecular diagnostics firms Biocept and Insight Genetics today announced that they will collaborate on the development of a test designed to detect the expression and mutation of ALK, a gene involved in signal transduction and a therapeutic target for non-small cell lung cancer.
Under the deal, Biocept will use its proprietary technologies for capturing and analyzing circulating tumor cells and circulating tumor DNA in blood samples. Insight Genetics will then apply its technologies to determine ALK expression and track whether the gene mutates over the course of patient treatment.
The initial aim of the collaboration is to better identify and monitor patients who may benefit from existing ALK-targeting treatments, as well as those who may benefit from second-generation therapies based on inhibitor resistance mechanisms, the companies added.
Additional terms of the arrangement were not disclosed.