Thermo Fisher Scientific entered an agreement with Eli Lilly and Co. for development of a companion diagnostic that will use the U.S FDA-approved, next-generation sequencing-based Oncomine Dx Target Test to identify certain non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and thyroid cancer patients who may be treated with Lilly's investigational therapy, LOXO-292. Specifically, the test would be used with patients whose tumors harbor a rearranged during transfection (RET) alteration. RET variants are found in about two percent of NSCLC, about 60 percent of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) and up to approximately 20 percent of other thyroid cancers.

LOXO-292 is a highly selective and potent oral RET inhibitor being studied by Lilly in a Phase 1/2 trial for the treatment of advanced cancers that harbor the RET kinase. Changes in the RET kinase, including fusions and mutations, can cause uncontrolled cell growth leading to tumor development. Cancers driven by such alterations are mostly dependent on this singularly activated pathway, making them highly susceptible to small molecule inhibitors.

Thermo Fisher will retain the rights to commercialize the test in all markets, including the U.S., Europe and Japan. Once validation is complete, Thermo Fisher will submit a supplemental premarket approval (sPMA) application to the U.S. FDA to broaden the clinical claims of its Oncomine Dx Target Test.

The NGS test, which received FDA approval in 2017, simultaneously screens tumor samples for multiple gene variants associated with NSCLC, a subset of which are utilized to identify patients who may be eligible for several approved targeted therapies.

"One of the biggest barriers to realizing the full power of precision medicine in oncology is having access to high-quality testing, such as next-generation sequencing-based tests, that identify a broad range of clinically actionable alterations, can be performed locally and allow treating institutions to participate in this important step in the evolving treatment paradigm," said Anne White, president of Lilly Oncology. "With this agreement, we believe that more patients will gain access to high-quality tumor profiling, identifying those with RET alterations potentially suitable for LOXO-292 therapy, in addition to other alterations suitable for treatment with other therapies."

Mark Stevenson, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific said: "We are pleased to enter into this agreement with Lilly and leverage our Oncomine platform as a means to quickly identify cancer patients who may benefit from this breakthrough therapy, even in cases of limited sample availability. We are committed to working with our global pharmaceutical partners to help bring forth next-generation sequencing-based companion diagnostics and best-in-class therapies that can have a profound impact on treating cancer patients."