Many new drugs these days are made with companion diagnostic tests in mind, and Amgen's ($AMGN) treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer is no different. Illumina ($ILMN) has inked a deal to develop a test that screens for patients who'd benefit most from the drug.
Neither side is disclosing financial terms.
Basically, San Diego-based Illumina will develop a next-generation gene sequencing test that spots patients for whom the drug Vectibix will work best. It's an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer that's already approved in the U.S. and the European Union.
Illumina said the test will work with its MiSeqDx next-generation sequencing instrument, which gained the FDA's OK just last November and a CE marking in the European Union in July 2013. Illumina plans to seek regulatory approvals in both markets for its test.
Illumina Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rick Klausner, also acting general manager of the company's oncology business, said next-generation sequencing and the development of multigene diagnostic tests represent "a natural evolution to improve cancer care and outcomes."
The company predicts 22% revenue growth for 2013, driven in large part by an expanded focus on diagnostics. Milestones include new MiSeqDx-based gene sequencing tests for cystic fibrosis. And since Illumina's $350 million acquisition of Verinata Health, which makes a noninvasive prenatal blood test known as Verifi, the company has worked overtime to expand Verifi's reach in the U.S. and internationally.
Earlier this month, Illumina signed a multi-year licensing deal with Quest Diagnostics ($DGX) that will allow Quest to develop new lab tests for several diseases using Illumina's sequencing and genotyping technology.
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