GRAIL and AstraZeneca Partner to Develop Blood-Based Companion Diagnostic Tests for Early-Stage Cancer

This collaborationInitially, the focus will be on developing companion diagnostic tests to identify high-risk patients with early-stage diseases., with plans to conduct research on multiple indications in the coming years. Both parties also intend to use GRAIL's technology to help AstraZeneca recruit early-stage cancer patients for clinical trials.

GRAIL is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing early cancer screening tests by examining biomarkers in the blood. Last year, the company launched a multi-cancer early detection blood test called Galleri.It detects special DNA methylation markers of cancerous cells by examining cell-free DNA in the blood. This test has the potential to identify more than 50 types of cancer through a single routine blood draw.

The company is developing applications for its methylation platform in various post-diagnostic scenarios, including identifying patients at high risk of recurrence and detecting residual disease to guide treatment decisions, such as identifying cancer patients suitable for neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy.

In all projects of this collaboration, GRAIL will use its methylation platform to test patients participating in AstraZeneca's clinical trials. GRAIL will seek regulatory approval in key markets for liquid biopsy companion diagnostics.

Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President of Oncology R&D at AstraZenecaSaid: "Early detection and treatment of cancer are at the core of this strategic collaboration. By combining GRAIL's innovative blood-based methylation analysis platform with AstraZeneca's strengths in oncology, we hope to accelerate the adoption of circulating tumor DNA in clinical trials and utilize our cancer drugs when there is greater potential to alter patient outcomes, with the goal of having the opportunity to cure cancer."

GRAIL is exploring the use of its proprietary methylation platform in various post-diagnostic settings to identify patients at high risk of future cancer recurrence, detect the presence of residual disease, and inform treatment decisions, including identifying cancer patients who may be eligible for neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy. GRAIL's technology platform is designed to optimize the detection of circulating tumor DNA for the identification of early-stage disease and minimal residual disease (MRD).

References:

[1] GRAIL Announces Strategic Collaboration With AstraZeneca to Develop Companion Diagnostic Tests to Enable the Treatment of Early-Stage Cancer. Retrieved June 2, 2022, from https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220602005362/en