Genomics company ChromaCode on Thursday announced a partnership with research and diagnostics company MedGenome to bring ChromaCode’s High Definition PCR (HDPCR) multiplexing technology to India and the Middle East.
The HDPCR approach uses ChromaCode’s cloud-based analysis platform for deep multiplexing of actionable biomarkers in a single rapid assay for multiple sample types, with applications in oncology, minimal residual disease (MRD), transplant, and noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT). The technology has a simplified workflow with the aim of enabling laboratories worldwide to perform high-quality, cost-effective testing internally, the firms said in a statement.
There is an unmet need for affordable, advanced molecular diagnostics offerings in the region, they added; the Indian genomics market alone is projected to reach $2.7 billion in 2023.
"Our partnership aims to introduce HDPCR technology to India and the Middle East, beginning with a fast, actionable, and cost-effective test for [non-small cell lung cancer] to help MedGenome serve their patient population," Padma Sundar, chief business officer of ChromaCode, said in a statement.
The non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) assay for the platform detects more than 200 variants across actionable genes in a single multiplexed assay, with a turnaround time of less than 24 hours. It is validated for very low sample inputs (15 ng of DNA and 5 ng of RNA), has demonstrated 99% concordance with next generation sequencing (NGS), and has achieved >99% coverage of actionable genes, according to ChromaCode.
