NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Invitae announced today that it will work with Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Kew to add tumor genomic profiling capabilities to its next-generation sequencing platform.
"By adding Kew's somatic mutation detection capabilities to Invitae's extensive portfolio of diagnostic genetic testing panels for hereditary cancers," Invitae said, "it will be able to help clinicians guide their patients from initial cancer diagnosis through treatment and monitoring."
Kew's CancerPlex sequencing assay gauges somatic mutations in 435 genes and includes assessment of tumor mutational burden and microsatellite instability for identifying best responders to immunotherapy.
Invitae will fund efforts to integrate Kew’s technology into its platform and workflow. In addition to the CancerPlex assay, the deal with Kew also gives Invitae access to Kew’s proprietary bioinformatics software.
"State-of-the-art bioinformatics has enabled Invitae to build out a uniquely scalable offering well suited to rapid integration with our proprietary algorithms for optimal and accurate genomic variant detection and curated knowledge base," Kew CEO Jerry Williamson said in a statement. "We believe aligning these capabilities on a single platform will provide the basis for making molecular characterization the standard of care."
The partners did not disclose the financial terms of the collaboration.