Personal Genome Diagnostics Launches First Liquid Biopsy Panel Enabling Non-Invasive, Comprehensive Tumor Profiling

BALTIMORE, Jan. 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Personal Genome Diagnostics, Inc. (PGDx), a provider of advanced cancer genome analysis and testing services, today announced the launch of its PlasmaSelect–R™ liquid biopsy test for cancer researchers. PlasmaSelect-R analyzes genetic alterations in cancer using circulating cell-free tumor DNA that is present in plasma, greatly reducing the need for tumor tissue specimens. The PlasmaSelect–R test detects sequence alterations and translocations in 63 well-characterized genes that include all important known biologic and therapeutic cancer targets. PlasmaSelect-R is the first off-the-shelf test that can accurately analyze many types of genetic alterations in human cancer genes using liquid biopsies. 

PGDx Chief Commercial Officer Antony Newton commented, "PlasmaSelect-R applies our proprietary technologies to identify a comprehensive set of biologically and therapeutically relevant genetic alterations in cancer with high analytical sensitivity and specificity, including the structural changes that can be critical in some cancers. We believe that the strong initial interest in PlasmaSelect-R from our biopharmaceutical industry customers reflects the potential of blood-based genetic analyses to accelerate targeted cancer drug discovery and development."

Mr. Newton added, "This first version of PlasmaSelect-R is specially designed to meet the needs of cancer drug researchers. It is the most comprehensive blood-based test currently on the market, and we intend to further expand its coverage when we add the ability to detect copy number variations in the coming months. We also plan to introduce a CLIA version for clinical applications later in 2015." 

The PlasmaSelect-R test uses a number of PGDx's proprietary methods, including its PARE (Personalized Analysis of Rearranged Ends) technology to detect translocations in known actionable gene targets, such as ALK, ROS and others, as well as proprietary analyses to identify important low abundance mutations. PlasmaSelect-R reports also draw on PGDx's deep knowledge of cancer biology and genomics to provide information on the potential functional, biological and therapeutic implications of the findings for drug discovery and development.

With the launch of the PlasmaSelect-R test, PGDx is the only company offering a complete range of cancer genome analysis tools, including exome and targeted approaches for tissue specimens, targeted approaches for plasma samples and a variety of custom tissue and plasma-based options designed to address the specific research needs of the company's growing customer base.

For more information about the PlasmaSelect-R test, visit http://www.personalgenome.com/services-overview.html#select

About Personal Genome Diagnostics
Personal Genome Diagnostics (PGDx) provides advanced cancer genome analyses to oncology researchers, drug developers, clinicians and patients. The company uses advanced genomic methods and its deep expertise in cancer biology to identify and characterize the unique genomic alterations in tissue and liquid biopsies from cancer patients. PGDx's proprietary methods for genome sequencing and analysis are complemented by its extensive experience in cancer genomics and clinical oncology. Co-founders Luis Diaz, MD, and Victor Velculescu, MD, PhD, are internationally recognized leaders in cancer genomics at Johns Hopkins University who have extensive experience in the practical application of advanced genomic technologies to research, drug development and clinical practice. PGDx's CLIA-certified facility provides personalized cancer genome analyses to patients and their physicians. For more information, visit personalgenome.com.

SOURCE Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc.

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