NEW YORK – Genome analysis company Genomics Plc said this week that it has extended its collaboration with Vertex Pharmaceuticals for three more years for the discovery and development of new precision medicines. As part of the extension, Genomics said it will now also explore using the company’s proprietary genetic tools to improve patient population identification and to de-risk the selection of biomarkers for measuring early readout of drug efficacy. First announced in 2018, Genomics’ partnership with Vertex was previously extended to 2021. The collaboration will now run until 2026.
Exact Sciences said this week that it has awarded a total of $1.5 million to 28 organizations through its Funding Opportunities for CRC Screening Uptake Strategies (FOCUS) program, which provides grants to community organizations, health foundations, public health organizations, and advocacy groups working to increase access to and awareness of colorectal cancer screening. Since its launch in 2022, FOCUS has awarded more than $4.5 million to over 75 organizations throughout the United States.
Specialty cancer diagnostics firm Precipio reported this week second quarter unaudited revenues of $4.4 million, up sequentially from $3.4 million in Q1. The New Haven, Connecticut-based firm also said that it was making progress toward profitability. Its pathology division surpassed the breakeven point starting in June, and its products division is preparing to launch in Q3 and Q4 a portfolio of assays that company officials anticipate will generate sufficient revenues to cross the breakeven point.
Sanford Health said this week that it has launched a genetic screening research study called ImagineYou, conducted in partnership with Sanford Imagenetics and Helix. The population health study will provide participants with genetic screening for familial hypercholesterolemia, hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, and Lynch syndrome at no cost. Those testing positive will be referred to genetic counseling for follow-up, also at no cost. In addition, participants can learn about their ancestry and genetic traits through their Helix account.
COTA and Texas Oncology subsidiary Precision Health Informatics said this week that they have inked a deal to integrate machine learning into precision oncology across Texas Oncology's community cancer centers using COTA's curation engine, CAILIN. Through the collaboration, Precision Health Informatics will use patients' genetic information coupled with COTA's artificial intelligence platform to personalize patients' treatment.
Waters said this week in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission that it has entered a master note facility agreement with NYL Investors through which it may, at its option, issue and sell senior promissory notes to NYL in the aggregate principal amount of up to $200 million. The purchase of any notes is up to the sole discretion of NYL. The proceeds of the notes will be used for general corporate purposes.
In Brief This Week is a selection of news items that may be of interest to our readers but had not previously appeared on GenomeWeb.