AstraZeneca CAMCAR, a division of AZ that serves Central American and Caribbean countries, has tapped Cancer Genetics (CGI) to provide diagnostic testing based on biomarkers for cancer. CGI will perform complex testing for diagnosis and prognosis of cancer patients in Central America and the Caribbean. Per the agreement, CGI will be working closely with AZ-CAMCAR on exploring opportunities to expand into additional geographic territories, more cancer categories, and into select oncology trials.

This partnership, the firms say, will focus on multiple cancer categories starting with lung cancer, as the Pan American Health Organization expects cases and deaths from lung cancer to double in Latin America by 2030.

“We believe our ability to provide accurate, state-of-the-art biomarker-based testing was a key factor in AstraZeneca’s decision to partner with us, and serves as a testament to the growing global awareness of the value of our brand.” CGI's CEO Panna Sharma said in a statement. “We are committed to positively impacting cancer care globally, and this relationship serves as another major milestone in fulfilling that mission.”

Also as part of that mission, last month CGI picked up India-based company BioServe Biotechnologies for about $1.9 million with the aim of helping CGI scale up its genetic analysis, bioinformatics, and manufacturing operations while capitalizing on clinical diagnostics and trial growth in India and the Asian market.

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