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In the last two decades, we have witnessed a paradigm shift in our approach to cancer treatment, from a “one-size-fits-all” strategy towards precision medicine, where cancer therapy is tailored to the uniqueness of each tumor’s genetic landscape.1 Yet, a more global clinical adoption of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, essential for identifying actionable biomarkers, is hindered by significant challenges. These include technical and analytical complexity, limited resources and training, lack of standardized workflows, and stringent regulatory requirements, particularly in underserved regions.2,3
To help address these disparities and accelerate access to precision therapies, SOPHiA GENETICS now offers SOPHiA DDM™ Sponsored Testing, empowering biopharma companies to strategically deploy routine and accurate genomics testing in all corners of the world, which in turn supports post-market drug success and ultimately helps address health inequalities.
Making genomic testing globally accessible
Sponsored biomarker testing has risen as a powerful post-market approach to make genomic testing more accessible and equitable worldwide.
By joining forces with SOPHiA GENETICS, via SOPHiA DDM Sponsored Testing, biopharma companies can rapidly scale genomic testing adoption to enable patients’ faster access to precision therapies across the regions into which they seek to launch their therapies.
At the core of this program is the decentralized and technology-agnostic SOPHiA DDM Platform, which harmonizes data across various instruments and chemistries, allowing for the implementation of flexible and robust NGS workflows tailored to each lab’s specific infrastructure and needs.
SOPHiA DDM Sponsored Testing, in turn, leverages the platform’s broad network of 800+ healthcare institutions*, a wide range of NGS-based applications, and expert-led on-site training. This enables biopharma companies to confidently select the best NGS assay, define the markets and sites of interest, and overcome operational challenges to ensure smooth, scalable deployment of diagnostic testing aligned with their drug development goals (Figure 1).
Accelerating implementation through SOPHiA DDM™ MaxCare Program
Adopting a genomic application is complex and time-consuming, requiring proficiency at many levels. An integral part of SOPHiA DDM Sponsored Testing is the SOPHiA DDM MaxCare Program, an industry-leading implementation program that streamlines the adoption of genomics testing across diverse markets without compromising the robustness, accuracy, and quality of the results obtained.
By establishing and demonstrating the analytical performance of NGS-based applications and offering customized expert-led hands-on training, the SOPHiA DDM MaxCare Program gives laboratory teams confidence in their results, establishes workflow efficiency, meets quality standards, and ensures strong and consistent performance.
In a recent collaboration with AstraZeneca, we leveraged this approach to democratize access to and adoption of MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM, a best-in-class NGS-based liquid biopsy assay, in relevant areas of the globe. Through ten implementation programs completed** across EMEA and NORAM, with more underway this year, we are actively addressing major barriers to liquid biopsy adoption, from workflow standardization to regulatory and reimbursement issues.
Bridging the precision medicine access gap
Despite the promise of precision medicine, ensuring widespread access to diagnostic testing remains a complex challenge, hindering equitable health access.
Implementing post-market deployment strategies, such as genomic testing adoption, empowers laboratories and ultimately enables biopharma companies to achieve their therapeutic targets with a real-world diagnostic infrastructure.
The SOPHiA GENETICS’s approach delivers more than just NGS technology by combining a decentralized network, a comprehensive portfolio of diagnostic solutions, and hands-on consultation, driving the scalable adoption of diagnostic solutions. Joining forces with biopharma companies can close the health equity gap globally by bringing accurate, robust, and timely genomic testing to patients worldwide, including underserved regions. This means broader reach, better post-market data, and ultimately, improved patient outcomes.
The stakes are high for biopharma companies, as precision medicine continues to evolve rapidly. Investing in sponsored testing approaches is critical for translating scientific innovation into equitable clinical access, bringing the right treatment to the right patient at the right time, anywhere in the world.
References
1. Lawer M, et al. Eur J Cancer. 2024;209:114225. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2024.114225
2. Messner DA, et al. Per Med. 2017;14(4):339-354. doi: 10.2217/pme-2016-0104
3. Girisha KM. Eur J Hum Genet. 2024;32(10):1202-1203. doi: 10.1038/s41431-024-01557-
* The number of institutions represents active customers who have generated revenue through the SOPHiA DDM Platform usage or Alamut™ Visual Plus licenses as of March 31, 2025.
** Number of implementation programs completed by Dec. 2024.
SOPHiA DDM™ Sponsored Testing and SOPHiA DDM™ MaxCare Program are for Research Use Only and are not intended for purposes other than research unless specified otherwise. All SOPHiA GENETICS trademarks are the property of SOPHiA GENETICS SA and/or affiliate(s) in the U.S. and/or other countries.
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