Roche, Cancer Genetics Expand Cancer Molecular Diagnostics to Latin America and Caribbean

Cancer Genetics has inked a three-year exclusive arrangement with Roche affiliate Roche Servicios to use Roche’s FDA-approved Cobas technology to enhance molecular diagnostic cancer testing in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Rutherford, N.J., company hopes to leverage the Cobas platform to become a center of excellence for cancer diagnostics in the region.

CGI has been testing patients in the region for lung cancer, lymphoma and breast cancer since late 2012, but the use of Cobas will be completely new, said spokesman Paul Kuntz. He added that said the deal has been finalized and should take effect in the next few days.

Roche’s Cobas platform allows for amplification and sequencing of targeted genomic regions, using identified mutations to guide therapy. The Cobas suite includes 24 tests for cancer and a range of other diseases and mutations, including HIV, West Nile Virus and the BRAF V600 and KRAS mutations. It also includes analyzer products, such as the b 221 blood gas system.

Initially, CGI will use Cobas to test for epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer who can then be treated with EGFR inhibitors. The partnership may expand into cancer and regions in the future, Kuntz said.

The agreement makes CGI the only provider of Roche’s cancer diagnostics in the region. — Lena Freund

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