Illumina and Merck have agreed to develop and commercialize tests that identify genetic mutations used in the assessment of homologous recombination deficiency (HRD).
Illumina will leverage its TruSight oncology (TSO) 500 content to develop a new HRD CDx test for the European Union and the U.K. to aid in the identification of ovarian cancer patients with positive HRD status who are eligible for treatment with Lynparza, an (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor.
Lynparza was developed and commercialized by Merck, which is known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada, and AstraZeneca.
Additionally, Illumina will develop and commercialize a research use only (RUO) HRD assay that will be add-on content for the TSO 500 RUO panel. Illumina plans to launch this product globally, excluding the U.S. and Japan.