FDA approves Illumina cancer biomarker test with two companion diagnostics to rapidly match patients to targeted therapies

• TruSight Oncology Comprehensive is the first US FDA-approved, distributable comprehensive genomic profiling IVD kit with pan-cancer companion diagnostic claims
• The 500+ gene biomarker test advances access to localized precision oncology for patients

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN), a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, today announced Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of its in vitro diagnostic (IVD) TruSight™ Oncology (TSO) Comprehensive test and its first two companion diagnostic (CDx) indications. This single test interrogates over 500 genes to profile a patient's solid tumor, helping to increase the likelihood of identifying an immuno-oncology biomarker or clinically actionable biomarkers that enable targeted therapy options or clinical trial enrollment. TSO Comprehensive is FDA approved as a CDx to identify adult and pediatric patients with solid tumors who are positive for neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusions that may benefit from treatment with Bayer's VITRAKVI^® (larotrectinib). The test is also approved to identify adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic rearranged during transfection (RET) fusion-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that may benefit from treatment with Lilly's RETEVMO^® (selpercatinib).

"FDA approval for TruSight Oncology Comprehensive with accompanying companion diagnostics marks an awaited milestone for our oncology customers and community," said Everett Cunningham, chief commercial officer of Illumina. "We are committed to partnering with industry leaders like Bayer and Lilly to advance cancer diagnostics and help broaden access to precision oncology for more patients."

A CDx test may identify whether a patient's tumor has a specific gene change or biomarker that can be targeted by a therapy, helping to determine if a patient should receive the therapy. Most CDx tests are specific to one type of cancer, but TSO Comprehensive is approved for use across solid tumor indications for the NTRK CDx, helping to maximize the chances of finding actionable information from each patient's biopsy.

NTRK gene fusions are rare across most solid cancer tumor types (~0.1%–0.3%), and can be challenging to detect, given that these genes can fuse with different partners, many of which were previously unknown. TSO Comprehensive also interrogates RNA and thus can identify a broad range of known and novel gene fusion partners across all three NTRK gene fusions, NTRK1, NTRK2, and NTRK3.  Bayer's VITRAKVI (larotrectinib) is a highly selective TRK inhibitor approved for use in patients with TRK fusion cancer, in accordance with therapeutic labeling.

NSCLC is one of the most common types of lung cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. The expansive actionable biomarker landscape in NSCLC has driven the need for broad molecular profiling to enable a complete view of a patient's disease to better guide clinical management. The oncogenic activation of RET fusion-positive NSCLC by gene fusions is a primary driver in NSCLC, occurring in up to 2% of cases. Lilly's RETEVMO (selpercatinib) is a highly selective and potent RET kinase inhibitor in locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC. TSO Comprehensive enables broad characterization and simultaneous detection of multiple prognostic and predictive biomarkers such as RET, genomic signatures such as tumor mutational burden, and emerging biomarkers within NSCLC in a single test.

"Through research conducted globally, there is a significant body of evidence demonstrating the clinical utility of comprehensive genomic profiling for patients with advanced cancer," said Vivek Subbiah, MD, chief, Early-Phase Drug Development at Sarah Cannon Research Institute. "Illumina's newest distributable IVD kit for comprehensive genomic profiling and accompanying CDx enable another valuable clinical tool for the oncology community to match patients with targeted therapies that can vastly improve their journey and outcomes."

TSO Comprehensive will begin shipping to customers this year. Comprehensive genomic profiling assays with CDx claims for solid tumors, like TSO Comprehensive, are reimbursable under a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service national coverage determination.

Illumina has a growing pipeline of CDx claims under development through partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, which will be added to TSO Comprehensive following appropriate regulatory approvals. These CDx claims will help unlock groundbreaking targeted therapies and immunotherapies to make a difference in the lives of patients with cancer.

A separate CE-marked version of TSO Comprehensive is already available in Europe, launched in 2022. To learn more about TruSight Oncology Comprehensive, click here.  

About TruSight Oncology Comprehensive

TruSight Oncology Comprehensive is a qualitative in vitro diagnostic test that uses targeted next-generation sequencing to detect variants in 517 genes using nucleic acids extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue samples from cancer patients with solid malignant neoplasms using the Illumina^® NextSeq™ 550Dx Instrument. The test can be used to detect single nucleotide variants, multi-nucleotide variants, insertions, and deletions from DNA, and fusions in 24 genes and splice variants in one gene from RNA. The test also reports a Tumor Mutational Burden (TMB) score.

The test is intended to be used as a companion diagnostic to identify cancer patients who may benefit from treatment with the targeted therapies listed in Table 1, in accordance with the approved therapeutic product labeling.

In addition, the test is intended to provide tumor profiling information for use by qualified health care professionals in accordance with professional guidelines in oncology for patients with solid malignant neoplasms. Genomic findings other than those listed in Table 1 of the intended use statement are not conclusive or prescriptive for labeled use of any specific therapeutic product.

Table 1: Companion diagnostic indications

Use of forward-looking statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Among the important factors to which our business is subject that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements are: (i) our ability to manufacture robust instrumentation and consumables; (ii) challenges inherent in developing, manufacturing, and launching new products and services; (iii) our ability to obtain or maintain regulatory approval for our products from government agencies and reimbursement from payors; (iv) our ability to successfully partner with other companies and organizations to develop new products, expand markets, and grow our business, together with other factors detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent filings on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, or in information disclosed in public conference calls, the date and time of which are released beforehand. We undertake no obligation, and do not intend, to update these forward-looking statements, to review or confirm analysts' expectations, or to provide interim reports or updates on the progress of the current quarter.

About Illumina

Illumina is improving human health by unlocking the power of the genome. Our focus on innovation has established us as a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, serving customers in the research, clinical, and applied markets. Our products are used for applications in the life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture, and other emerging segments. To learn more, visit illumina.com and connect with us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

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SOURCE Illumina, Inc.