Skip to main content
Premium Trial:

Request an Annual Quote

Sonic Healthcare Expands Deal for UPMC's ThyroSeq Thyroid Cancer Test

NEW YORK – Sonic Healthcare USA said on Tuesday it has expanded its license for the ThyroSeq Genomic Classifier, signing a new 15-year exclusive agreement with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the test's developer.

Under the expanded agreement, the test, which aids in the management of thyroid nodules of indeterminate cytology, will become available through all of Sonic's clinical labs and anatomic pathology practices in the US. Previously, the company has offered the test only through its CBLPath division.

The ThyroSeq Genomic Classifier uses next-generation sequencing to analyze DNA and RNA collected via fine needle aspiration to distinguish between benign and malignant thyroid nodules in patients with indeterminate cytology reports.

"As a company at the forefront of diagnostic medicine, the addition of ThyroSeq to our robust cytology and molecular services throughout the United States aligns itself well with our continued focus and emphasis on advancing innovations to deliver high-quality patient care," Jerry Hussong, CEO of Sonic Healthcare USA, said in a statement. "The ThyroSeq test can help avoid costly diagnostic thyroid surgery by distinguishing between benign and cancerous thyroid nodules and is also validated for cytology smears, which is especially important when a dedicated sample is not collected for molecular testing."

"We are very pleased to solidify our partnership with Sonic Healthcare, facilitating the expansion of patient and physician access to ThyroSeq," said Yuri Nikiforov, vice chair of the department of pathology and director of molecular genomic pathology at UPMC. "Sonic's extensive federation of clinical laboratories and anatomic pathology practices coupled with the recent expansion of validated acceptable sample types will enable more patients to benefit from ThyroSeq testing."

Financial and other terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Scan

Study Examines Insights Gained by Adjunct Trio RNA Sequencing in Complex Pediatric Disease Cases

Researchers in AJHG explore the diagnostic utility of adding parent-child RNA-seq to genome sequencing in dozens of families with complex, undiagnosed genetic disease.

Clinical Genomic Lab Survey Looks at Workforce Needs

Investigators use a survey approach in Genetics in Medicine Open to assess technologist applications, retention, and workforce gaps at molecular genetics and clinical cytogenetics labs in the US.

Study Considers Gene Regulatory Features Available by Sequence-Based Modeling

Investigators in Genome Biology set sequence-based models against observational and perturbation assay data, finding distal enhancer models lag behind promoter predictions.

Genetic Testing Approach Explores Origins of Blastocyst Aneuploidy

Investigators in AJHG distinguish between aneuploidy events related to meiotic missegregation in haploid cells and those involving post-zygotic mitotic errors and mosaicism.