IntegraGen said today it will allow its 56-gene molecular signature for liver cancer to be used by Pfizer in identifying specific patient populations that would benefit from the pharma giant’s experimental drugs. The value of the collaborative agreement was not disclosed. 

The agreement covers a molecular signature that subcategorizes patients into six separate classifications based on the molecular characteristics of their liver tumors. The signature is intended to predict the survival outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, identifying patients that would benefit from new treatments.

As of February 28, Pfizer’s pipeline included two Phase II liver cancer compounds—Inlyta® (axitinib), a small-molecule VEGF Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor already indicated for advanced renal cell carcinoma after failure of one prior systemic therapy; and PF-03446962, a biologic ALK-1 Inhibitor monoclonal antibody for second-line treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of two forms of cancer for which IntegraGen is working to develop predictive tests; the other is metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The company’s mCRC test is based on the biomarker hsa-miR-31-3p, a microRNA whose expression has been shown to be associated with anti-EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) monoclonal antibody therapy response in wild-type KRAS patients with mCRC.

IntegraGen has also developed two versions of its ARISk® Autism Risk Assessment Test, which identifies children at increased risk for autism spectrum disorders by looking for combinations of autism-associated genetic variants or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The more recent version, ARISk2, consists of more than 1,700 genetic markers (SNPs) that are analyzed in order to identify a child's genetic risk score for ASD. DNA samples are collected from children via a buccal swab and are genotyped at a CLIA-cerfied laboratory using a customized Illumina Infinium BeadChip.

Founded in 2000, IntegraGen provides genomic services to life sciences companies and academic researchers, in addition to its work commercializing molecular diagnostic tests based on new genetic biomarkers it identifies.

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