Natera Announces Plans to Commercialize Tumor Whole Exome Sequencing from Plasma

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[{"type":"text","content":"SAN CARLOS, Calif., April 10, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRA) Natera, a leader in cell-free DNA testing, today announced plans to commercialize a research-use-only (RUO) service for whole exome sequencing (WES) of circulating tumor DNA, using plasma samples from patients with cancer. The new service is expected to be available in the second half of 2019.\n\n \nThe assay does not require tumor tissue and will interrogate approximately 20,000 genes from circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to detect somatic mutations, representing a significant increase in coverage over most commercially available fixed liquid biopsy panels. There are multiple benefits to the new plasma exome sequencing offering, including the ability to design Signatera™ assays when tissue is not available. The assay may also allow researchers to characterize resistance mutations, actionable mutations, neoantigens, and tumor evolution. Finally, this capability will enhance Natera's oncology database by generating valuable new data about tumor evolution over time.\nThe plasma exome service can be ordered as a stand-alone assay, or reflexively for Signatera ctDNA-positive cases. Many researchers want a comprehensive view of tumor evolution in order to link to treatments and outcomes, but it is very expensive to conduct a comprehensive analysis in early-stage or adjuvant disease, where tumor DNA is often not detectable in the plasma. With the combined service, researchers can first use Signatera to monitor patients for the presence or absence of ctDNA, and for positive patients they can reflex to a plasma exome to characterize tumor evolution using the same exact DNA library sample. \nThe first of multiple publications has been accepted in a top peer-reviewed journal and is expected to be published this quarter. Initial data has shown concordance between WES from tissue and plasma, and also strong concordance between WES and Signatera (RUO). \"This exciting capability grows out of our deep molecular and bioinformatics expertise, and optimized sample and library preparation methods which consistently deliver a high yield of cell-free DNA molecules,\" said Bernhard Zimmermann, Natera Vice President, Research and Development. \"This expertise will enable multiple new research applications in oncology.\" \n\"The plasma exome capability adds an important compon...

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