Cambridge-based EDX Medical is set to introduce a diagnostic tool in the UK aimed at identifying patients’ risk of developing hereditary cancer. This tool, which remains unnamed, focuses on germline testing. While mutations in tumours, particularly in prostate, breast, and colorectal cancer, are relatively rare, they can be inherited. Germline testing plays a crucial role in detecting these inherited mutations.
EDX Medical claims their pan-cancer test, which will be accessible through private healthcare providers and select National Health Service (NHS) genetic testing centres later this summer, boasts 99% sensitivity. It can identify mutations in 70 genes known to be associated with cancers that have a strong hereditary component.
Mike Hudson, CEO of EDX, emphasised the importance of testing family members of cancer patients as part of a National Cancer Prevention and Management Strategy. He stated that this test allows doctors to identify significant genetic risks shared by patients and their families. This can lead to preventative measures before the onset of disease or enable well-informed clinical decisions, ensuring access to modern medicines that enhance long-term survival prospects if cancer occurs later.
In May 2024, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) issued new recommendations regarding germline testing. They advised that even patients who wouldn’t typically be offered germline genetic testing based on personal or family history should be offered such testing if a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant is identified by tumour testing.
EDX’s move follows their partnership with Thermo Fisher last year for the joint development and potential commercialisation of several clinical-grade assays, including cancer diagnostic solutions. Meanwhile, in the broader field of genetic testing, Chinese biotech MGI Tech and France’s SeqOne Genomics have recently collaborated to advance an end-to-end solution for genomic testing.
This development was originally reported by Medical Device Network, a brand owned by GlobalData.
EDX Medical Group Plc (AQSE:EDX) is a global specialist in digital clinical diagnostics; developing and supporting high-performance products and services to provide cost-effective prediction of disease risk, inform clinical decision-making, enable personalised healthcare and accelerate the development of new medicines for cancer, neurology, heart disease and infectious diseases. EDX Medical Group entered into a collaborative agreement with Thermo Fisher Scientific EMEA Ltd, a world leader in supplying life sciences solutions and services.
