Illumina, Merck Serono to Develop NGS Oncology Diagnostic

San Diego-based Illumina and Merck Serono, the biopharmaceutical arm of Merck, are partnering to develop a universal next-generation sequencing-based cancer diagnostic. The goal is to create a more comprehensive tool for precision medicine, the groups said Tuesday.

The firms will develop assays that detect and measure multiple cancer types simultaneously to support clinical trials. The collaboration includes development, worldwide approvals and global commercialization, the companies said.

Illumnia is also working with the Actionable Genome Consortium — a group of four cancer centers — to set standards for NGS-based assays in routine clinical oncology practice and to define regulatory frameworks for the tests.

Susan Herbert, head of global business development at Merck Serono, said the collaboration will enable the groups to perform genome studies at a pace unheard of a few years ago, and could lead to development of several diagnostics. — Kellen Owings