Backed by large public companies and growing prospective data, the first molecular blood tests to screen for multiple cancers are approaching commercialization.
The company aims to use the methylation technology from its multi-cancer screening assay to detect minimal residual disease in early-stage cancer patients.
Although the total number of deals went down in 2020, those deals were worth more compared to 2019 — four of the top five had billion-dollar price tags.
In a note to investors, Piper Sandler analysts wrote that the upgrade reflects increased confidence in Grail and Illumina's core next-generation sequencing business.
The firm presented initial study results from the test, which identifies six cancers, showing overall sensitivity at 86 percent and specificity of 95 percent.
The investment firm said that Grail's revenue trajectory is uncertain, and given the firm's operating loss, it will significantly dilute Illumina's earnings.
The publisher of the Science family of journals will allow some authors to place peer-reviewed versions of their papers into publicly accessible repositories.