Bayer AG and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. partnered to develop next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based companion diagnostic assays (CDx) to help identify patients who may benefit from Bayer’s precision cancer therapies by offering decentralized genomic testing and rapid turnaround time. Financial terms were not disclosed. 
 
The CDx will be developed using Thermo Fisher’s Oncomine Dx Express Test on the Ion Torrent Genexus Dx System, a fully integrated NGS platform that can deliver results on a patient’s tumor or liquid biopsy sample in as little as 24 hours.  
  
“We are committed to developing new treatment options for patients with unmet medical needs, reducing exposure to treatments that are not as likely to provide benefit or can spare them unnecessary side effects,” said Christine Roth, Member of the Executive Committee of Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division and Head of the Oncology Strategic Business Unit at Bayer. “The collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific perfectly complements Bayer’s precision medicine strategy and fits our ambition to further advance the field of genomic testing and personalized treatment in Oncology, providing the right treatment to the right patient at the right time.” 
  
“We are committed to providing simple and fast next-generation sequencing-based solutions using tumor and liquid biopsy samples that support future access to targeted therapies, thereby helping to improve patient outcomes,” said Garret Hampton, president of clinical next-generation sequencing and oncology at Thermo Fisher Scientific. “The combination of our experience in developing distributable CDx tests with the game-changing turnaround time offered by our Genexus Dx System, allows clinical teams to quickly gather results to better understand the impact of these therapies. Pairing this with Bayer’s growing precision oncology portfolio, we are well-positioned for the potential to help ensure that eligible patients can be quickly matched with the right treatment.”