Firm’s first nonblood-based test could be available for research use within a year.

ExonHit Therapeutics negotiated an exclusive, worldwide license from the Institut Gustave Roussy (IGR) to develop a molecular diagnostic for breast cancer. The test will be designed to work on fine needle aspiration (FNA) samples and is based on an RNA splice variant signature identified by IGR researchers.

The company aims to develop an assay for research-use within 12 months and further validate the test for subsequent clinical utility. ExonHit will have access to samples from ICR’s biobank.

The company suggests testing for the signature may be particularly useful when FNA results are inconclusive. The test will be ExonHit’s first nonblood-based assay.

The signature, which can distinguish between malignant breast tumors and benign lesions, was identified by the IGR researchers in collaboration with the Centre national de la recherche scientifique, using ExonHit’s SpliceArray™ platform. The research was published in a recent issue of Lancet Oncology.


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